MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Most of the time, people learn about history just by reading it in a book or listening to a story. It's rare to have the chance to stand next to artifacts from the past.
Yet, that's exactly what Blount Memorial Hospital is giving people a chance to do with a time capsule. They opened one from July 1984 on Friday. It was buried as part of the dedication and opening of the North/South wing of the hospital and it stayed buried for 37 years.
It was placed below a bronze plaque at the base of the flagpole in the Garden of Life area, with instructions to open it on July 7, 2021.
Inside were different types of syringes, an x-ray from more than 30 years ago and a poster signed by the hospital's employees in 1984. There was also a photo of the "new" wing in the time capsule and a film touring the facility.
The film was recorded on a videocassette.
Anyone who wants to see the content for themselves will be able to visit the hospital's ground floor auditorium on Saturday from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. Staff will also be showing a video created in 1984, giving people a chance to see the video staff and doctors hoped people would watch in 2021.