New time capsule for Belmont House
The Friends of Belmont House hosted a special celebration at St John of God Richmond Hospital on 29 February 2020 with the interment of a time capsule to replace the 1892 version discovered in 2018.
3 Mar 2020
3 March 2020
The time capsule was jointly laid by Colman O’Driscoll, CEO of St John of God Richmond and Burwood Hospitals, Br Julian Liddiard OH, Philippa Charley-Briggs, Neil Renaud and Adrian Howie. Adrian and Neil were instrumental in discovering the Gazette article from 1892 that described the laying of the foundation stone and a subsequent time capsule underneath which led to the discovery in 2018.
The time capsule contains a letter to the future from 2020, last week’s Hawkesbury Gazette, Saturday’s Sydney Morning Herald, Australian and international coins, a copy of the scroll from the original time capsule, historic and current day photographs, documents and books, hospital brochures, Br Julian’s professorial cross, Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association Show Catalogue 2020 and a booklet about the Richmond Hill Aboriginal Garden onsite.
A metal box was designed to house the new capsule, sunken into the floor in the room behind the foundation stone. The box was lined with a copy of the Sydney Morning Herald from 29 February 1892 discovered in the original time capsule. An engraved glass top covers the capsule so that it remains easy to find for future generations. It is envisaged that the capsule will be opened at the 200th anniversary of Belmont House in 2092.
Over 130 guests gathered to witness the historic event, including members of the Charley family, original owners of Belmont House and the Howie family, builders of the house. Chris Tobin from the local Darug community gave a moving welcome to country.
“I would like to acknowledge Br Julian Liddiard and the Brothers of St John of God for their work over the past 70 years in establishing a mental health facility on this site. Belmont House is such a part of the local community and it is a place of healing and at this particular time it is evident that we need that more than ever,” Colman said.
The Friends of Belmont House conduct monthly public tours of the house where you can see the new time capsule as well as some of the items displayed from the 1892 version. Tickets are available on Humanitix or see the St John of God Richmond Hospital Facebook page.