The year was 1957. The Frisbee had just been invented. The Soviets had launched Sputnik into space and Elvis Presley rocked his way to No. 1 on the music charts. In Gander, NL, students and staff at Gander Academy filled a small copper box with tokens and treasures, newspaper clippings and letters all meant to capture what life was like back then. That copper box was built into the cornerstone of the school. Hidden in the cornerstone of the school, the staff of Gander Academy discover a time capsule sealed in 1957. The capsule was found before the building was demolished. (Gander Academy) Over six decades later, this building is now gone and replaced by a new modern facility. The time capsule was found and saved but the contents remained a mystery for the entire school year. Manager Collett Kelly acknowledged that anticipation for the big event was high. “Opening the time capsule was extremely exciting,” Kelly said. “The kids’ eyes lit up. That was pretty awesome.” Gander Academy Vice President Tracy Templeman, left, and Principal Collett Kelly decided to unveil the time capsule at the year-end assembly. Like their students, they couldn’t wait to see what was inside the 65-year-old box. (Collette Kelly) The plan was to mark the end of the first year at the new school with a grand unveiling of the time capsule. Vice President Tracy Templeman admits that waiting to see what was hidden inside allowed the imagination to run wild. “I think given the fact that these students were with us last year when we found the box,” Templeman said, “they predicted for a whole year what might be inside.” Grade 3 student Emma Lacour took part in the time capsule unveiling ceremony. She admits she was nervous speaking in front of a crowd for the first time. (Collette Kelly) One of those students was Emma LaCour, a 3rd grader who was chosen to lead the unveiling. Emma admits she was nervous about the job. “Yeah, I was really scared,” Lacour said. “I’ve never really spoken in front of a large crowd before. I thought I’d get the words mixed up or something.” He did not do it. He ably introduced the dignitaries in attendance, which included Health Minister John Haggie and Gander Mayor Percy Farwell. After a few speeches and a rousing rendition of Gander Academy’s official song by the school choir, the time capsule was finally opened. All eyes fixed in a small flat rectangular box covered with deep green and black patina. As they slowly lifted the cover, the inside glowed a bright copper that reflected the fluorescent lights of the high school. There was a resounding gasp from the students who were eagerly waiting to see what was inside. Some sat just a few feet away, while others watched from their classrooms on television screens. Some teachers and staff filmed the revelation on their smart phones. It was all in stark contrast to what viewers would have done 65 years ago when the box was originally sealed. A segment of The Daily News was found inside the Gander Academy time capsule. Dated Wednesday, June 19, 1957. (Martin Jones/CBC) The contents served as a time machine back to the days when a new Pontiac would cost you just $2,794 and a new pair of shoes sold for $2.98. There was a yellowed copy of The Daily News that presented world events in pictures. Buried under the paper, the students discovered a photo of a school hockey team with young men wearing Hunt Memorial Academy jerseys. A quick Google Search allowed viewers to recall that it was the name of the school before it was renamed Gander Academy. There was also a collection of coins, some dated before Newfoundland became a province of Canada. A school paper shows a school hockey team in Hunt Memorial Academy jerseys. This was the school’s name before it was renamed Gander Academy in the 1950s. (Martin Jones/CBC) Excitement about the time capsule was not limited to those at Gander Academy. According to Principal Kelly, the unveiling, which was streamed live on the school’s social media pages, became a community event. “It’s been amazing how people have added themselves because they want to see it and watch it live,” Kelly said. “It was a huge deal for the city of Gander.” Gander Academy has created a new time capsule that will be opened in 2097. It will contain items from each class and some face masks as a reminder of COVID-19. (Martin Jones/CBC) The time capsule delivery will continue at Gander Academy. Now a brand new one has been created, this one made of plastic pipe rather than copper. As for what’s in it, Principal Kelly offered some advice. “So we asked each class to put two objects in the time capsule,” Kelly explains. “Hopefully with the help of the teacher this is about the kids themselves. I know one of the teachers put in a fidget spinner.” What would a 2022 time capsule be without something related to COVID-19? After all, for most of Gander Academy’s current students, learning under the restrictions of COVID is all they know. VP Templeman says a few COVID items have been included, including a face mask. “We’re the first group of students in a very, very long time to actually experience a pandemic,” Templeman said. “So it was very exciting, too, to put it out there. And I think they’re hoping it will stop for good.” The new Gander Academy opened in 2021. It is a modern facility built on the same site as the original school. (Gander Academy) There is no cornerstone at the new school, but staff have already secured a safe place for the time capsule. It will be tucked safely inside a glass case, out of sight, in the school’s front foyer. Its contents will remain secret until its official unveiling 75 years from now. Principal Kelly wonders if she should leave a note to make sure it’s found. “I’m not going to be here, but I hope they find it,” Kelly jokes. “I have to get it somewhere in the school before I go that the time capsule is here.” When the new time capsule opens in 2097, the current students of Gander Academy will be in their 80s, possibly with grandchildren or great-grandchildren of their own, who could themselves be watching as this time capsule opens. They’ll also find tokens and treasures, newspaper clippings and letters all meant to capture what life was like in 2022. Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
