ST. LOUIS — Some St. Louis history dating back more than 100 years was revealed Wednesday morning.
Last year, the historic Clemens House in north St. Louis burned to the ground. The house, which once belonged to the cousin of Samuel Clemens — better known as author Mark Twain — carried significant history through many decades of use.
But in the aftermath of the fire, a time capsule dated in 1896 was located.
The capsule was opened Wednesday morning. Inside were newspapers from the day the capsule was buried, religious medals, a miniature statue of St. Joseph, documents about the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet and a coin commemorating then-St. Louis Bishop Peter Richard Kenrick.
Jim Meiners, the man who found the capsule, gave the items to the Sisters of St. Joseph, the current descendants of the nuns who once called the Clemens home and adjacent chapel home.
“I’m so glad these items were found,” said Sister Audrey Olson. “I’m a historian and to me, history is so important. And the history of St. Louis is so fascinating.”
Meiners found the time capsule while salvaging pieces of the mansion and chapel. He hopes to restore the items and use them in an exhibit at City Museum.
“I believe these items belong to the people of St. Louis,” said Meiners. “And I want to see them put in a place close to where they once stood and admired for generations.”
Meiners started a fundraising campaign to help pay for the restoration and exhibit. He’s hoping for private donations and corporate donors.
