1902 time capsule discovered at Queen Elizabeth Hospital redevelopment

After being hidden for over 100 years, a time capsule dating from 1902 has been unexpectedly revealed as work continues to the former Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The redevelopment of the former hospital in Tower Hamlets is being carried out by Rydon and Family Mosaic to create 188 new homes, 38% of which will be affordable (43% by habitable room), for rent or for purchase through shared ownership. The remainder are available for private sale through Mettle & Poise.

Construction workers unearthed the glass container behind a foundation stone, whilst undertaking work to restore the original Hackney Road façade. The contents showed that the time capsule had been placed during a ceremony celebrating the opening of the building on Thursday 8^th May 1902.

Amongst the items found was a catalogue of donors, a hymn sheet and a ribbon from the ceremony during the grand opening of the building, which was performed by Queen Victoria’s fifth daughter Beatrice, more formally known as Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Battenberg. Several newspapers from the day were also uncovered in remarkable condition.

The items are currently in the safekeeping of the Hackney City Farm, which is involved in a local history project to celebrate their 30th anniversary next year. We plan to bury a new time capsule within the new development, which may now include the 1902 newspapers. The catalogue, hymn sheet and ribbon will be given to the Royal London Hospital Museum and the site of the new capsule will be marked by a decorative piece of salvage from the original building.

We remain on schedule in this project to create the next incarnation of this historic site, providing new homes for affordable rent and private sale. Much care has been taken to salvage as many of the original materials as possible, which will include using 30,000 of the original bricks in the construction of the new building behind the Hackney Road façade.

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