Harbord Literary Institute reveals its history after time capsule, 101 years old found

A time capsule, which is more than a century old, has been removed from behind a marble tablet at a heritage-listed building on the northern beaches. FIND OUT WHAT WAS INSIDE.

Michael Regan with Ross, Richard and Mark Sterland and the time capsule

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A time capsule has been removed from behind a marble tablet at the Harbord Literary Institute 101 years after it was placed there.

But were it not for the fortuitous discovery of a collection of stories from the Manly Daily, no one would have known it was there.

Michael Regan with Ross, Richard and Mark Sterland and the time capsule

It was only when Friends of Freshwater member Wendy Machon read one of the stories about the unveiling of the foundation stone of the Harbord Literary Institute on July 13, 1918 that she read that a time capsule had been set behind the stone, which was unveiled by Education Minister Gus James.

The Manly Daily story said that “behind the tablet had been placed a copy of the local and city papers of that date, along with coins of the realm, also a typewritten history of the hall, which was read.”

The time capsule after it was pulled out.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan was on hand for the removal of the foundation stone on Wednesday, as were members of the family that built or were involved in the literary institute.

“Our first challenge was how to access it without doing damage to the heritage building,’’ Cr Regan said.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan looking at the time capsule before it was removed

“We explored a few options but ultimately the whole plaque had to be delicately removed and the council will ensure it is restored properly.

“There was no way to know if the time capsule would still be there, so it was thrilling to see it intact.

The foundation stone of the Harbord Literary Institute

“Historians are now getting ready to open it to see what was saved all those years ago.

“We will now consider replacing it with some markers of our time so it can be seen by those who come after us – perhaps when the Literary Institute marks its 200th anniversary in 2118.”

Warringah councillor and Literary Institute president Thomas Sterland

Literary Institute builder and later Warringah councillor Albert Sterland

At the time of the Literary Institute’s construction, Thomas Sterland was a Warringah councillor and was president of the Institute, while one of his sons, Albert, was a master builder who did most of the construction of the Institute for free.

Albert Sterland also later served as a Warringah councillor and was shire president from 1940 to 1944.

Ross, Richard and Mark Sterland holding the time capsule

On Wednesday, one of Thomas Sterland’s grandsons, Ross, and two of his great-grandsons, Richard and Mark, were there to witness the removal of the capsule.

Mr Sterland snr said he was just pleased the time capsule was still there “after all these years”, fearing it might have been removed at some time in the past.

Cr Regan said the State Library of NSW would be asked for advice on how to open the time capsule, which is made of glass and has a corroded metal lid.

A Manly Daily in the time capsule

Then it will be discussed among stakeholders as to what is placed in the cavity behind the foundation stone before the stone is replaced.

Cr Regan was fascinated by one section of a page of the Manly Daily that was visible through the glass about discussions that were taking place at an international level into the possible formation of the League of Nations at the end of World War I, which was still four months away when the literary institute’s foundation stone was unveiled.

Sean Rout with the time capsule

Harbord Diggers RSL sub-branch president Sean Rout, who was also on hand, has previously said he hoped the contents of the time capsule might be placed on temporary display in the Diggers club.

“Thomas Sterland was one of the founding fathers of the Harbord Literary Institute, a former Councillor, the first president of the Harbord Literary Institute and a member of the Building Committee,” he said.

“It was an Institute built for the community, with a number of committee members at the time completing the building work on the site themselves.

“How incredible to be part of releasing the capsule Mr Sterland buried for us just over a hundred years ago.”

Mark Sterland said being on hand when the time capsule was recovered was a “step back in time” and “a proud family moment”.

“We were made aware of the time capsule recently,” he said.

“I know my great grandfather Thomas was a keen historian and he absolutely loved the area.

The contents of the time capsule will soon be made available at a community event to celebrate the findings.