News release

Workers Find Time Capsule on Demolition Site

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

Nova Scotians could get a glimpse into life during the Second World War when the province holds a public opening of what appears to be a time capsule discovered last week at the former Queen Elizabeth High School site in Halifax.

The sealed copper box, measuring about 9x11 inches and three inches deep, was discovered by workers disassembling the old high school. The box has no identifying markings on the exterior and was found in the back of building's corner stone, which was placed in 1941.

The province is asking those who graduated from Queen Elizabeth High School during the early 1940s or to contact officials at 902-424-0849 about taking part in the upcoming event. The public will also be invited to attend.

"We're hopeful the contents inside will illustrate what life was like in Nova Scotia in the early 1940s, an exciting and precious opportunity indeed," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, today, Aug. 23.

"Whatever is in this box, we want to share the thrill of opening it with the people who are connected with the opening of the school, and people who lived in the area at the time."

Officials from the departments of Transportation and Infrastructure and Renewal, Education, and Communities, Culture and Heritage are co-ordinating the opening of the capsule and will provide further details when plans are finalized.