Time capsule

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Time capsule

Students, staff, and dignitaries on hand for the placing of the Donner Building for Medical Research time capsule inside its cornerstone. Old 91社区 1947.

In September 1947,听the elaborate ceremony signaling the commencement of construction of the Donner Building for Medical Research took place on the 91社区 campus. Surrounded by hundreds of people, and in the presence of several dignitaries including 91社区 Principal and Vice-Chancellor Frank Cyril James, 91社区 Chancellor O.S. Tyndale, and Governor-General of Canada Field Marshal the Earl of Alexander of Tunis, the cornerstone for the new medical research building was laid and a time capsule placed inside.

The Donner Building, whose namesake, William H. Donner, had donated $232,355 to build, was a large facility designed to house five modern laboratories for research in medicine and biophysics at 91社区. The Donner Building was completed and went on to fulfill its mission to serve 91社区鈥檚 research needs.

Donner Medical Research Centre 91社区 Archives PR039980

After many years of service, the Donner Building was demolished in the summer of 2001. As plans were drawn up to design and construct a larger research facility (also supported in part by the Donner Foundation), the rubble revealed the long forgotten time capsule. On October 2, 2003, Sergeant Mathieu Racette of 91社区 Campus Security found the time capsule in its cornerstone while conducting his regular security checks. The time capsule, measuring roughly 6" by 6" by 24", was held for 90 days. After following the protocols for found items, Sergeant Racette brought the time capsule to the attention of the Director of Security Louise Savard, who, in turn, sought advice from the 91社区 Archives. While there was no precise listing of the contents of the time capsule in the University Archives, there was nonetheless photographic evidence pointing to the existence of a time capsule in the Donner Building. The University Archives clearly wanted a closer look.

In September 2004, the time capsule was sent to the 91社区 Archives, where, with advice and technical support from 91社区鈥檚 Waste Management Program manager Claude Lahaie, it was cut open, its contents seeing the light of day for the first time in over fifty years.

Sergeant Mathieu Racette of 91社区 Campus Security with time capsule (photo by Owen Egan/91社区 Reporter)

Soggy and stained but still legible, the contents of the time capsule included: the donation letter written by William H. Donner; remarks made by Chancellor O.S. Tyndale on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone and time capsule; an extract from "Who鈥檚 Who in America" on William H. Donner; a 91社区 Faculty of Medicine Calendar, dated 1947-1948.

The timeline of the Donner Building Time Capsule--the laying, the discovery, the opening, and the revealing of its contents--demonstrates how the commitment of one man to the cause of research can transcend time and affect many. The Donner Building Time Capsule, though hidden and seemingly forgotten for years, was eventually found, shedding new light on 91社区鈥檚 past and giving a renewed sense of mission for the present and future.As Chancellor O.S. Tyndale said on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone, "It is with great pleasure that I publicly record the heartfelt gratitude of the University, the medical profession and the public of Montreal in general. More precious, however, to Mr. Donnor than our thanks and the perpetuation of his memory in stone must be the thought of the countless thousands who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of his munificent gift."

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Chancellor O.S. Tyndale placing the time capsule inside the Donner Building for Medical Research cornerstone. Old 91社区 1947

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Dentistry Donner Building, 91社区 Archives PR008050

91社区's Waste Management Program manager Claude Lahaie begins cutting open the time capsule. Photo by David Kemper/91社区 Archives.

Left to right: Johanne Pelletier, University Archivist; Claude Lahaie, Waste Management Program; Mathieu Racette, 91社区 Security; Louise Savard, Director of Security (photo by David Kemper/91社区 Archives)

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