A couple moving into a new home received an unexpected glimpse into its past when they discovered a time capsule hidden within the walls, left by the previous occupants over a quarter of a century ago.
A Message from 1997
The remarkable find occurred as the new homeowners were exploring their property. They came across a package dated August 17, 1997. The letter inside explained that the capsule was placed there when the former owners, a married couple, tore apart the basement bathroom. "I was hoping to find some secret hidden in the walls but I didn't," the note read. "So, we are hiding a secret in our walls now."
The writer apologised in advance if the discovery was made because their own remodelling work had gone wrong, stating sincerely, "we hope that it wasn't because of something we did wrong... If so, we sincerely apologise for putting you through all this work."
A Snapshot of Late-Nineties Life
The letter provided a charming window into the lives of the home's former residents in the late 1990s. The woman had recently graduated as a paralegal, while her husband worked as a video game technician. He had also started a business crafting Adirondack chairs and had just set up a "webpage to sell the chairs over the internet."
With a prescient nod to future technological change, she added: "That is probably ancient technology, depending on when you found this package." Their hobbies included gardening, scuba diving, white-water rafting, home-brewing beer, and travelling. They noted coming from small families, having no children, and sharing their home with cats.
The capsule also contained various personal items relating to their lives. The letter concluded with the hope that the finders would enjoy the discovery and perhaps continue the tradition: "maybe you will leave something for your future homeowners - if the house is still standing by then."
Connecting with the Past
The current homeowners were deeply touched by the discovery. They commented: "I think we would’ve gotten along with the people who lived here then. I especially love their references to the internet. It must have felt so innovative and exciting creating a webpage then."
The find also had practical historical value for the 95-year-old house. "Luckily they also included dated photos that helped us piece together when some of our renovations may have been done," they said. "So happy that our house has had some good vibes throughout its life."
After sharing their story on Reddit, users encouraged them to track down the original couple. The new owners are now meticulously researching the property's history, using the county auditor's website to trace every owner back to its construction in 1925. They aim to build a chronological history, starting with the very first owner, to fully understand the life story of their home.
