The Los Angeles Public Library kicked off its 100th anniversary on Thursday by unveiling a time capsule from 1926.
KNX News’ Karen Adams reported the time capsule contained another, smaller time capsule from 1881 from the L.A. State Normal School, which is now the site of the public library. One of the items inside was what’s called a “relic.”
“It’s really a memento from the funeral of President Garfield, who had been assassinated just a couple of months prior to them dedicating that school here,” Todd Lerew, with the L.A. Public Library, said. “And somebody who was at that funeral in Cleveland came back with a piece of the black mourning cloth and some dried moss from the actual ceremony.”
The time capsule also contained a directory of library employees from that time and lots of newspapers, which revealed a diverse L.A. with a population of just over 10,000.
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“From 1881, when we understand the city was just over 10,000 people, they included local newspapers in Spanish, German, and French, and that’s kind of cool to see,” Lerew said.
Both time capsules and the items inside are on display at the library.
A 2026 time capsule will go into the library’s cornerstone later this year.
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Featured Image Photo Credit: KNX News