Posted in Oklahoma History July 03, 2016 by Ashley

What Was Preserved For Over 100 Years In This Oklahoma Chest Will Leave You In Awe

On April 22, 1913, in the basement of the First English Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City, a “Century Chest” was buried with a group of witnesses standing by, including Governor Lee Cruce and other highly regarded Oklahoma residents. The church guarded the buried chest for a century and in 2013 partnered with the Oklahoma Historical Society to dig it up and preserve the contents in the chest for future generations. An exhibit entitled “Oklahoma Century Chest: On Behalf of the Pioneers” is currently on display at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

Pictured below is the First English Lutheran Church in 1913 and the current church located at 1300 North Robinson - now the First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City.

The unearthing of the chest took place on April 1, 2013.

12 inches of concrete protected the vault.

The church held an unveiling ceremony on April 22, 2013.

The contents were revealed to the public at the ceremony.

Like this Kodak Pocket Camera, along with photographs developed from the camera and other photos put in the chest.

Pieces of women's fashion were put into the chest and can be seen on display.

A quilt with over 720 signatures in stitch was preserved.

Several pieces of technology from 1913 were also in the chest.

Descendants of Oklahoma families from 1913 found packages and letters written to them.

There was even a banking prophecy from the President of the American National Bank, F.R. Johnson.

You can visit the exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center at 800 Nazi Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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What Was Preserved For Over 100 Years In This Oklahoma Chest Will Leave You In Awe

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