Community Corner

Maplewood Prepares To Open 150-Year-Old Time Capsule

The Maplewood time capsule was found during the demolition of the former Hilton United Methodist Church at Boyden Avenue and Tuscan Road.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Who knows what could be in store for Maplewood when a time capsule that’s more than 150-years-old is uncovered?

According to town officials, workers discovered a time capsule from the 1860s during the demolition of the former Hilton United Methodist Church at Boyden Avenue and Tuscan Road, which was razed last year to make way for a new apartment building.

The time capsule – found in a cornerstone of the building – will be unveiled for the first time during a ceremony at the Hilton branch of the Maplewood Library, 1688 Springfield Avenue, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.

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According to ThePeopleHistory.com, the following events took place in the 1860s:

  • Abraham Lincoln was nominated president
  • The Pony Express Company ceased trading
  • South Carolina seceded from the Union
  • The first United States income tax was imposed
  • A Confederate submarine, the Hunley, was the first submarine to torpedo an enemy vessel
  • The New York Stock Exchange opened its first permanent headquarters

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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