Century-old time capsule discovered at former hospital site in Stoke-on-Trent to be opened
A century-old time capsule retrieved from the site of the former North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Hospital is set to be opened as part of Stoke-on-Trent's centenary celebrations.
The lead box was placed behind a foundation stone laid by King George V in 1925 at the Royal Infirmary and was uncovered by the estates team at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in 2018.
The capsule has since been transferred to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and will now be opened to mark the 100th birthday of the city.
Marc Porter, UHNM estates manager, was part of the team which rescued the time capsule and the first to touch the lead box since King George V.
Marc said: "We were aware that there maybe a time capsule on the Royal Infirmary site following extensive research into its history.
During the period following its closure in 2012, we were experiencing problems with trespassers in the derelict buildings so we knew we needed to find and secure the capsule.
"After more research, we located it behind a foundation stone laid by King George V on 5 June."
Following the extensive research after the closure of the Royal Infirmary Hospital in 2012 he and the team discovered a stone slate on top of the time capsule which led to its discovery.
Marc added: "As soon as we moved the stone and the slate, we immediately saw a sealed lead box, which was the time capsule. It's hard to believe that I was the first person to touch the box since King George V."
"Fast forward to 2025 and we are now at 100 years old so it is so exciting that we can now officially open the time capsule and let people know about it.
The lead box was then sat sealed under Marc's desk at UHNM before it was transferred to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and kept in their sealed vault until the right time and occasion to open it.
Dr Simon Constable, UHNM chief executive officer, said: "This is an extraordinary discovery and adds a new chapter to the history of Royal Stoke University Hospital and the wider University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.
"The time capsule is a poignant reminder of the hospital's vital role in Stoke-on-Trent's history.
"As we create modern, sustainable NHS services in Stoke, we're proud to honour the legacy of those who shaped health services over a century ago."
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