Historic Time Capsule Unearthed in Middlesbrough's Old Town Hall Restoration
In a remarkable discovery that is rewriting local history, a Victorian-era time capsule has been found during the £6.3 million restoration of Middlesbrough's iconic Old Town Hall. The cache, dating back to 1858, was uncovered just days into the ambitious project, hidden beneath the clock tower immortalised by artist LS Lowry.
A Glimpse into Middlesbrough's Industrial Past
The time capsule was sealed within the clock tower's foundation stone, which was laid by then Mayor Henry Thompson. It contains a hand-written parchment inscription bearing the signatures of Middlesbrough's founding fathers, including Henry Bolckow, John Vaughan, and Isaac Wilson. The document provides fascinating insights into the town's rapid transformation, noting that just thirty years prior, the site was grazing land for cattle with only one solitary house.
Helen Kendall, Teesside Archives Conservator, expressed her excitement about the find: "The newspapers and parchment document are in remarkably good condition with little sign of water or oxygen degrading the materials. The Victorians did a great job sealing the contents."
Preserved Victorian Treasures
Among the contents discovered were:
- A perfectly preserved copy of the Darlington and Stockton Times dated September 25, 1858
- An 1857 silver threepence coin featuring the head of a young Queen Victoria
- Historical documents revealing the clock tower's bell was "cast from the same model as the bell in the clock tower of her Majesty's castle of Balmoral"
The discovery also revealed that while the main building was completed in 1846, the clock tower wasn't built until 1858 - a previously unknown historical detail.
Connecting Past and Future
The restoration project, led by Middlesbrough Council with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to transform the Grade II-listed structure into business space within the town's burgeoning Boho Zone. Contractor Walter Thompson will oversee the 12-month project, which includes:
- Demolition of a 1970s extension
- Structural restoration work
- Clock tower preservation
- Addition of a modern marketplace extension
Paul Hammerton, Managing Director of Walter Thompson, described the discovery as "an extraordinary moment for our whole team. To discover documents signed in 1858 by the men who built Middlesbrough is a rare privilege and a powerful reminder of why preserving buildings like these matters so much."
A Symbol of Middlesbrough's Evolution
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke celebrated the find, stating: "What a fantastic find that sheds new light on the earliest days of our town. The Old Town Hall survives as a powerful symbol of Middlesbrough's incredible origins, and I'm delighted to see it being given the new lease of life it so richly deserves."
The building, which opened in 1846 and most recently served as a library and community centre before closing in 1996, will play a key role in the town's bicentenary celebrations in 2028. The modern marketplace extension will create a striking contrast between old and new, symbolising Middlesbrough's journey from Industrial Revolution powerhouse to 21st-century aspirations.
All discovered artifacts will be preserved and protected by Teesside Archives, ensuring future generations can continue to discover this important chapter in Middlesbrough's evolving history.
