Wigan and Leigh Archives Online

Tyldesley Upper George Street School Time Capsule

Tyldesley Chapel Day and Sunday Schools, Upper George Street

Watch our movie documenting the opening of the time capsule - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYPd2E8wL4s

On Saturday, 29 June 1901 the foundation stone was laid for the new Day and Sunday Schools built by Tyldesley Chapel at Upper George Street.

With Charles Eckersley Esq. J.P. present as the guest of honour, the stone was laid, alongside a time capsule in the form of a large glass bottle. The bottle contained a variety of items - copies of the programme for the ceremony, the Trust Deed of the Chapel, copies of local newspapers and a selection of coins in use at the time.

For over a century the time capsule lay undisturbed within the fabric of the building.

In 2017 the time capsule was discovered and transferred to Wigan & Leigh Archives for safe-keeping.

Contained within the sealed capsule were the following documents and artefacts:

  • The programme for the laying of the Foundation Stone, 29 June 1901;
  • Notice seeking subscriptions for raising funds for the new school, August 1899;
  • Tyldesley Chapel Trust Deed, 1889;
  • Seven Victorian coins;
  • Copies of the Journal and Chronicle newspapers, June 1901;
  • A card giving the name of Thomas Bridge, who prepared the bottle, 1901.