What is hidden inside the base of the John C. Calhoun statue?

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Hidden within the granite stone of the base of the John C. Calhoun statue is likely a cornerstone and time capsule with artifacts dating back to the mid-19th century.

And it's likely we'll find out what exactly is inside when crews begin to remove the base on Monday.

According to the Charleston County Public Library, the capsule was created in 1858 when the Ladies Calhoun Monument Association commissioned the Calhoun statue. They put together a collection of artifacts, created the cornerstone, and had a fundraising campaign and ceremony to fund the monument.

On Carolina Day in 1858, the Freemasons then deposited the cornerstone in the middle of Marion Square. Two months later, the ceremonially placed cornerstone was moved to the entrance of the Citadel Building where they thought the built statue would be and the cornerstone stayed there for almost 27 years.

In 1885, the Calhoun monument was built, with the capsule moved with it, while the marble shaft with a bronze Calhoun statue was completed in 1896.

As crews begin to remove the base of the monument, they will work with a conservation specialist to make sure that they keep a close eye out for the time capsule as it is still unknown where exactly the cornerstone is.

“We have no drawings for how this thing is constructed, so we only have a general idea of where the time capsule maybe, if it does exist," said Jason Kronsberg, Director of Parks and Capital Projects for the City of Charleston. "Working with the contractor, we have identified a conservation specialist who will be onsite when we get to that area.

He added, "I believe the northwest corner, where the time capsule may be and then if and when we find it, we will determine if it is in a container. We don’t know what is the condition of it. Is it metal? Is it iron? We know there may be some paper in it. We’re talking about textiles and metals. How much oxygen has been in there? Is it wet? So we will know, we will really have to evaluate the conditions of it at that point in time, and those specialists will determine how to handle it where to take it, make sure it’s in a secure location and they will determine what the next step is.”

Kronsberg said that an old Post and Courier article from a long time ago referenced a couple artifacts like a cannonball and a speech, as well as a lock of hair, a flag and some Confederate money.

"We’re anticipating work starting next week and we will start dismantling and keeping a sharp eye out for any anomalies that may be present, you know, a container, a hollowed-out piece of stone, and then you know keeping a close eye on it for a week or two as this work progresses," said Kronsberg.

Adam Domby, the assistant professor of history at the College of Charleston and author of 'The False Cause: Fraud, Fabrication, and White Supremacy in Confederate Memory,' said it is likely they didn't think the capsule would ever be opened.

“At its very creation in 1858, when they put this time capsule there they were already thinking this was already something worth celebrating, this speech that decries freedom basically and how the creation of slaved states was worth saving," he said. “One of the reasons they put these time capsules in is to sort of imbue the monument with a sense of history and importance. I don’t think there was any real plan to open it up ever and take things out. This isn’t a time capsule where they say in 100 years we are going to open it.”

Even if crews discover the time capsule, it likely won't be in great shape.

"One way we know about this is that they’re terribly sealed. In general, these time capsules do not survive well," says Domby. “Regardless, one thing that is likely, in the process is that the integrity did not survive. It’s highly unlikely that in over 150 years that this remained airtight.”