History Presentation Will Highlight Female Seminary Time Capsules
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Both local and Cherokee history buffs will enjoy the Cherokee Nation history series’ next presentation. On Thursday, May 21, Victoria Sheffler, university archivist for Northeastern State University (NSU), will share an exciting story of discovery, as she relates the thrill and challenge of uncovering a piece of history spanning more than 150 years during “Time Capsules from the Cherokee Female Seminary: The Twentieth Anniversary.” The presentation will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Cherokee Nation’s Council Chambers, located in the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex.
In 1888 two time capsules, including one created in 1847 and saved from a fire, were interred in the cornerstone of the newly constructed Cherokee National Female Seminary, an educational institution for women, owned and operated by the Cherokee Nation before Oklahoma statehood. One hundred and one years later, during a homecoming celebration for the Descendants of Cherokee National Male and Female Seminaries Student Association, the time capsules were located and once again saw the light of day. More than a hundred articles were removed from the time capsules, then lovingly restored and preserved. The artifacts are now kept in the archives of NSU, which currently owns the building. May 7 marked the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the two capsules.
Sheffler will speak about locating and retrieving the two time capsules and the adventure of discovering what lay within, as well as discussing the challenges in conserving what was found. Part of the challenge stemmed from the fact that both capsules consisted of lead boxes that were toxic, most of the items were covered in mold, and many were stuck together because of moisture. A short video of the actual opening of the capsules will be shown that includes astonishing before-and-after photos of the artifacts and their conservation.
Weather permitting, Sheffler will also bring two unique documents, a copy of the Cherokee Nation’s 1839 Constitution and a copy of the Act of Union that officially united the east and west factions of the Cherokee Nation after its arrival in Indian Territory. Both were found in the 1847 time capsule.
A brief question and answer session will be held after the presentation. For more information, please call (918) 453-5389.