Time Capsule Traveling With St. Joe’s Hospital

Staff report

Exactly one month before its new hospital opens on 12-13-14 (Dec. 13, 2014), the team at Saint Joseph Hospital cracked open a 50-year-old time capsule that was originally placed in the current hospital at 18th Avenue & Franklin Street in May, 1964.

Among the findings:

• A “New Dimensions in Nursing” brochure from 1964 highlighted the latest in nursing practices at Saint Joseph

• A 1964 issue of Newsweek (cost was 30 cents)

• Several religious medallions

• A 1964 John F. Kennedy silver dollar

• Photos of the original towers (build in 1899) side-by-side with the current towers built in 1964

• Brochures outlining the latest in offerings from the hospital

• Coins from the 1870s

A few points about the time capsule:

The first Saint Joseph Hospital time capsule was included in 1899 when the first twin towers were built at the landmark hospital west of Park Hill. That time capsule was opened in 1964 and some contents were carried forward into the “new” time capsule, including some sections of wood from the 1890s hospital (dogwood, oak and fir). The contents of the original time capsule can be seen at the current Saint Joseph Hospital in the history hall – which is just inside the front doors off Franklin Street.

The “new” time capsule was placed inside the current building in 1964, but no specific instructions were left regarding its location within the building. After lots of sleuthing around, the team discovered the time capsule behind a plaque outside president and CEO Bain Farris’ office on the main floor of the current building.

A new time capsule will be placed in the new hospital early next year.