THIBODAUX, La. — Louisiana history scholars from Nicholls State University are working with Ascension Public Schools to identify, contextualize and preserve artifacts found in a recently discovered time capsule.
The school district discovered the copper time capsule behind the 1938 building plaque in the old Donaldsonville High School Auditorium while construction crews were working to convert the building to classroom space.
“We’re thrilled that the Ascension Parish public school system reached out to us,” said Jared Wells, public history coordinator and instructor of history and geography. “This is an exciting discovery that affords us the opportunity to both celebrate history and gain insight into life in South Louisiana 80 years ago.”
Nicholls history professors have been asked to assist the school district in identifying and preserving the items, providing historical context and advising best practices for the placement of a new time capsule.
“We are very excited about this find for our school system and the Donaldsonville community, and we can’t wait to work with the faculty at Nicholls State University,” said David Alexander, superintendent of Ascension Public Schools. “We want to be sure that we learn all we can with respect to the intentions of those that planted the capsule so that our celebration honors the history and carries forward the tradition.”
Anyone with information about the history of the time capsule is encouraged to send an email to TimeCapsule@apsb.org.
For more information about Ascension Public Schools, visit www.apsb.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
