The time capsule found at Brooke Park in Derry City Centre during excavation work
A TIME capsule which is nearly 200 hundred years old has been discovered at a Derry city centre park.
The capsule, dating back to 1840, was discovered in the foundations of a building in Brooke Park during excavation work into the city’s previous history.
The site was originally home to a boys orphanage which was demolished in 1986.
The lead cylinder is thought to contain coins and papers from the time but has yet to be opened.
Derry City and Strabane District Council park development manager Colin Kennedy everyone involved in the project was “very excited” at the find.
“We committed to a one day excavation on the North east corner of the former Gwyn’s institute last Thursday.
“We knew from the papers at the time that there was a time capsule placed in the foundation stone and low and behold we found it carved into the stone itself.
GENTLY DOES IT…The delicate capsule which needs to be treated with care so as not to damage its contents
“As yet the time capsule is yet to be opened and our colleagues in the heritage and museum service will look into that because obviously it needs to be opened in a very sensitive manner that we don’t destroy it or its contents inside.”
Mr Kennedy said a rattling sound when it is shaken suggests coins may be inside the capsule.
“We know broadly speaking what it would contain but not the detail, traditionally this was a thing done in Victorian times where we would have coins of the day and some papers of the day.
“If you look at the one that was found in the Guildhall there’s coins of the realm there as well so we can assume that there may well be money inside.
“We need to determine the timescale of when we open this but obviously everyone is very excited.”
In 2010, contractors working as part of Guildhall Restoration project discovered a time capsule which provided a valuable glimpse into the building’s past.
The glass vessel contained coins and documents that were placed on site at the laying of the the Guildhall’s foundation stone 23 August 1887.
However, the most prized asset was a handwritten manuscript which sets out the background to the building of the Guildhall.
It revealed how a deputation from Londonderry Corporation visited The Honourable The Irish Society to ask for help in building a new town hall.
It is currently on display in the Guildhall.
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