Time Capsule Unearthed At Hatboro-Horsham School

HATBORO, PA — A piece of Hatboro history has come to light on the grounds of a local elementary school.

On Sept. 21, conservator Adam Jenkins discovered a mysterious box buried underneath the Revolutionary War monument at Crooked Billet Elementary School in Hatboro. After about 45 minutes of chiseling away at the lid, he opened the box to find an unexpected treasure — a time capsule from the 1967-68 school year.

According to Hatboro-Horsham School District officials, who are preparing to break ground on a new Crooked Billet Elementary School building, the capsule contained more than just school artifacts.

In the box were local newspapers, church bulletins, magazines, Yellow Pages, hand-written letters, pictures, postcards, commemorative plates and coins. Officials say the items were in relatively good condition, with the exception of some damp papers and other items, which will be sent to a conservator.

The two handwritten letters were from the mayor of Hatboro at the time and a 14-year-old coin collector, who had included three rolls of coins, along with a dollar coin, that the student, Jim Davidson, said he wanted to be passed along to a present-day student who collects coins.

Crooked Billet Elementary Principal Kelli Sendel said some of the pieces from the time capsule may be incorporated into the new school building's rotunda and history wall.

But, at least one historical mystery remains on the school grounds.

Officials are wondering about the whereabouts of a time capsule believed to have been buried there some time in the 1860s. Historians had thought the 1860s box was opened and placed into the box that was buried in the 1960s.

The 1860s capsule was moved to the base of the monument when the monument was moved from York Road to Crooked Billet.

Watch a video of the time capsule being opened and reactions to it below.

Photo, video courtesy Hatboro-Horsham School District