Watch: Royal Infirmary century-old time capsule opened
A century-old time capsule retrieved from the site of the former North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Hospital was opened today as part of Stoke-on-Trent's centenary celebrations.
Inside the capsule was letters and documents about the history of the Royal Infirmary and coins donated to hospital from Newcastle Borough and Stoke-on-Trent councillors at the time.
Other findings included a £1 bank note, a hospital annual report from 1923, newspapers and a letter from the president of the Royal Infirmary's council to King George V.
The lead box was placed behind a foundation stone laid by King George V in 1925 at the Royal Infirmary in Hartshill and was uncovered by the estates team at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in 2018.
Following the extensive research after the closure of the Royal Infirmary Hospital in 2012 estates manager Marc Porter and the team discovered a stone slate on top of the time capsule which led to its discovery.
The capsule was opened by Marc alongside the trust's executive officer, Simon Constable and the contents will be on display at the Royal Stoke until 12 June. The artefacts will then go on display at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for permanent display.
Marc Porter, UHNM estates manager, told Stoke Nub News: "We'd heard a rumour there was some sort of time capsule and we did quite a bit of research to figure out where it could be and we came across the foundation stone and we removed it and found the time capsule.
"I was emotional when we found it - it was a proud moment.
"I'm still emotional today to think about our health service 100 years ago to how the NHS has developed now; it's just amazing."
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 for the first time.
Marc added: "I was tempted everyday to open it but we held off that temptation and then 100 years on, we're here. It has felt like a lifetime to wait seven years to get it open.
"It's amazing to see it here. What a fantastic experience it's one of the best experiences of my working career."
Dr Simon Constable, UHNM chief executive officer, said: "This sealed lead box, untouched for nearly 100 years, gives us a direct link to our past—a moment frozen in time, now ready to be shared with the present.
"It is more than an object. It is parts of our heritage and represents the enduring commitment of those who came before us to the health and wellbeing of our community.
"As we open it this year, we are not just uncovering artefacts—we are recognising our past. And as we continue building a modern, sustainable NHS for Stoke-on-Trent and beyond, we do so on the strong foundation laid by generations of staff and supporters."
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