The time capsule discovered in the statue base.
Known officially as the United States Military Academy, it can also count two American presidents among its alumni.
Such a long history is sure to come with good and bad moments, and even a few surprises.
The time capsule discovered in the statue base. (Photo: United States Military Academy)
Recently, renovationsuncovered a boxhidden in the base of a statue of a Revolutionary War hero.
It turned out to be a time capsule that West Point later opened during an assembly with great fanfare.
The interior did not yield treasures at first, only silt.
A historic coin found in the silt inside the time capsule. (Photo: United States Military Academy)
However, after some sifting, six historic coins and an Erie Canal commemorative medal were uncovered.
The statue which yielded the time capsule is of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish immigrant.
While not a West Point alum, he fought with the Continental Army during the Revolution.
The statue of Thaddeus Kościuszko. (Photo: United States Military Academy)
He died in 1817, and shortly afterward his statue was erected on the dime of admiring cadets.
Its stone base was completed in 1828, although the column and statue atop was added in 1913.
It is still unclear why the capsule was hidden in the first place.
The dedication to the Revolutionary Warhero. (Photo: United States Military Academy)
Current students speculated what might be inside.
Sifting carefully through the silt with wire, Hudson and his team found six silver early Americancoins.
They date from 1795 to 1828.
There was also a smallmedalfrom 1826 that commemorated the finishing of the Erie Canal’s construction in 1825.
Thecoinsand the medals were clearly chosen for the time capsule for their meaning to the historic cadets.
A historic coin found in the silt inside the time capsule.
The statue of Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
(Photo: United States Military Academy)
The dedication to the Revolutionary Warhero.
