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Connecticut College time capsule reburied with old and new items; last minute find adds to the mystery
Among the items found hidden under the 1957 time capsule was a prophylactic tin. It was reburied, along with the contents of the original capsule and new items representing the 2006-2007 academic year, in a new capsule on July 11.
July 11, 2007
A new time capsule, filled with items new and old, was sealed and placed into the cornerstone of Connecticut College´s student center today, replacing a 50-year-old copper capsule which had been discovered by construction workers repairing the building´s façade and opened during a campus-wide ceremony June 19.
College officials packed the new capsule, made of modern PVC Piping, with the original contents from 1957, as well as new items representing the 2006-2007 academic year, including a proclamation signed by witnesses to the original capsule´s opening, a flash drive with Web site highlights and a number of recent publications that depict today´s academic and residential life at Connecticut College.
The new contents were selected from among the many suggestions sent in by members of the Class of 2007 at the invitation of College President Leo I. Higdon Jr.
The new time capsule also contains a relic from 1957 that was found underneath the original time capsule when it was removed from cornerstone and wasn´t listed in any of the college´s records of the original event.
A circular prophylactic tin, about the size of a large coin or small medallion, and engraved with a crest on one side and the words "The Crest prophylactic" and "manufactured for the prevention of diseases" on the other, had been unearthed, along with a few pennies, when the original time capsule was removed, but had not been thoroughly examined with the other artifacts. When the contents were being officially catalogued prior to insertion today, the item, which was thought to have been a medallion, was reexamined and then identified as a prophylactic.
While the origin of the tin is unknown, it was likely placed into the cornerstone by a mischievous student or construction worker. "We have no idea how it would have gotten there," said Laurie Deredita, Connecticut College´s director of special collections and archives, "unless somebody, to be funny, put it there."
The pennies found with the tin were returned to their original hiding place, but the prophylactic tin was added to the new time capsule for safe keeping. A 2000 Sacajawea dollar coin was also added, to signify the pioneering spirit that the college seeks to instill in its students. Additionally, the new time capsule contained the following items:
New Contents Representing 2006-2007 Academic Year
· Proclamation signed at the time capsule opening by all those in attendance
· Connecticut College Alumni Magazine Spring 2007
· Connecticut College Viewbook
· Commencement speech given by Class of 2007 President Christopher Bothur
· Connecticut College Admissions publication titled "Life at Conn"
· "Arts at Conn" brochure
· Inauguration Speech, President Leo I. Higdon Jr., Oct. 14, 2006
· "Source" June 2007, (Connecticut College´s staff and faculty newsletter which includes a story about the time capsule opening)
· A print out of the front page of the Connecticut College website, as well a flash drive downloaded with portions of the website
· A map detailing the college´s $9 million summer campus renovation project (Part of the college´s larger $53 million, 10-year campus renewal plan)
· A brass camel
· 2007 graduation tassel
· Sacajawea dollar from 2000
· Dime and quarter from 2007
Original Contents Representing 1957
· Dec. 6, 1950 Connecticut College News, which had a front page story headlined: "Trustees give assent to new rec center"
· Five pennies - 1956, 1957, 1953 and two from 1944
· Department of Physical Education 1956-1957 Winter Indoor Physical Education schedule
· Department of Physical Education 1916-1923 Winter Indoor Physical Education schedule
· Handwritten notes from meetings students had with President Rosemary Park in the fall of 1950 about initiating a fundraising drive for a student recreation center
· Typed cover memo to the notes mentioned above, dated October 27, 1950
· Connecticut College Handbook, published by the Student Government Association in 1957
· Connecticut College "C" Booklet, published by Student Government Association in 1957
· Bulletin of Connecticut College (Catalog)
· Listing of alumnae association members from October 5, 1957
· Partial listing of alumnae
· Agenda from Executive Committee meeting of the Board of Trustees, dated May 27, 1957
· Agenda from Board of Trustees meeting, dated May 28, 1957
· Blueprint for Hillyer Gymnasium, built in 1916
· Bulletin by Mary Foulke Morrison with pictures of the College´s first president, Frederick H. Sykes; Plant House and New London Hall
The Crozier-Williams Student Center - originally called the Student-Alumnae Center - was completed two years after the cornerstone was laid. The building, which was designed by architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, best known for designing the Empire State Building in New York City, originally held a swimming pool. Today, the building houses the college bookshop, the post office, a snack bar, student activity offices and the dance department. The building also has several large rooms where student concerts and events are held.
The building is being renovated as part of college´s campus wide $9 million summer campus renovation project. The summer´s work is part of the college´s larger $53 million, 10-year campus renewal plan.
Ranked among the most selective private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Connecticut College enrolls 1,900 men and women from 43 states and 45 countries. The college is known for putting the liberal arts into action through interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. Founded in 1911, the college operates under an 85-year-old honor code. The college is located at 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, about two hours by car from Boston and New York. The 750-acre campus is an arboretum overlooking Long Island Sound. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.
For more information contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu