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Cornerstones and Time Capsules Collection, 1916, 1951, 1960

 Collection
Identifier: Archives Series 545

Content Description

The Cornerstones and Time Capsules collection contains inventory lists and the contents found within time capsule containers buried in the cornerstones of buildings on the UW-Eau Claire campus. Buildings include Schofield Hall, McIntyre Library, and the Zorn Arena Complex. Some of the original content is missing. The cornerstone for Schofield Hall or “Old Main” was set in place in a ceremony on October 19, 1916, a month after classes began at Eau Claire State Normal School. The time capsule was removed and opened in October 1976, during a 60th anniversary commemoration ceremony. A new time capsule and cornerstone were put in its place. The cornerstone for McIntyre Library was set in place on February 15, 1960, and the time capsule was removed in 1994, when it was found during reconstruction of the library.

The cornerstone for the Zorn Arena Complex (Campus School, Kjer Theater, Brewer Hall, and Zorn Arena) was laid by College President W.R. Davies in a ceremony on September 19, 1951. The time capsule was removed from the cornerstone of the Zorn Arena Complex during the start of demolition to Zorn Arena during 2024. The contents of the time capsule were displayed in an exhibit at the opening of the Sonnentag Event Center at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester. The Sonnentag replaces Zorn Arena as a sport and event space that serves UW-Eau Claire Blugold athletic teams, students, and the Eau Claire community. The materials were then displayed in an exhibit in McIntyre Library during the Fall 2024 semester. The time capsule container was not kept. Some of the contents for all three time capsules include Eau Claire newspapers, The Spectator student newspaper, photographs, buttons, college bulletins, course catalogs, handbooks, campus event programs, campus yearbooks, postage stamps, menus, lists of faculty members, calendars, a Wisconsin Blue Book, exhibit display materials, and inventory lists for all three time capsules.

Dates

  • Creation: Time Capsule Dates: 1916, 1951, 1960
  • Creation: Materials Date: 1916-2024

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Extent

0.8 Linear Feet (2 archives boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Summary

Collection of the contents found within time capsule containers buried in the cornerstones of buildings on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. Time capsule containers are included for Schofield Hall or “Old Main”, set on October 19, 1916; McIntyre Library, set on February 15, 1960; and The Zorn Arena Complex, set on September 19, 1951. Contents include Eau Claire, WI, and Spectator student newspapers, photographs, college bulletins, course catalogs, handbooks, campus event programs, campus yearbooks, postage stamps, menus, lists of faculty members, calendars, a Wisconsin Blue Book, exhibit display materials, and inventory lists for all three time capsules. Some of the original contents are missing.

Acquisition Information

The Schofield and McIntyre Library time capsules were transferred to the University Archives in February 1996. The Zorn Arena Complex time capsule was transferred from Campus Facilities in 2024.

Accession Number

96-59, 25-013

Reference Code

AS545

Processing Note

Processed by Sarah Beer in February 2025.

Status
Published
Author
Julie Hatfield
Date
February 4, 2025
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
103 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701 United States
715-836-2739