The contents of a 19th Century time capsule discovered under the foundation stone of historic Belmont House will be placed on display for the public, St John of God chief executive Steve Brooker said.
Newspapers dating from 1892, 88 coins from around the world, and a scroll containing information about the house was removed from the time capsule on March 5 ahead of the mansion’s 125th anniversary celebrations three days later.
Mr Brooker said St John of God wanted to keep the capsule’s contents accessible to the public.
“We have spoken to the Charley family and the museum in the Hawkesbury and what we are thinking we can do a display of some kind,” he told the Gazette.
“We are just working with our heritage people on that at the moment, because again we want it to be available, we want it to be accessible, we want it to be a part of the house and part of the community so they can see it.”
We have spoken to the Charley family and the museum in the Hawkesbury and what we are thinking we can do a display of some kind.
- Steve Brooker
The hospital was also considering replacing the time capsule with a modern day equivalent.
“I think it would be really lovely to do another time capsule,” Mr Brooker said.
“Of course the big question is what do you put in it? At the moment we are canvassing ideas, so that will take some time. We don’t have to do it today, tomorrow, the day afterwards, we can think about that.
“I think that would be quite special, we could do a ceremony around that and do it properly.”
The time capsule’s contents were on display at last Thursday’s anniversary celebrations, where guests enjoyed tours of the historic house, speeches, a delicious afternoon tea and jazz on the verandah.
Hawkesbury deputy mayor Barry Calvert gave a short history of Belmont House during his speech, including the modern-day operations of St john of God Healthcare.
“I hope that in another 125 years, people will open the time capsule once again with another wonderful celebration in the Hawkesbury just like today,” he said. “It will be an interesting exercise to work out what to put in there.”
- Pictures of the 125th anniversary of Belmont House p46-47.