Windback Wednesday - Glen Osmond Institute 'Time Capsules'

The Glen Osmond Institute had its grand opening in 1877 and was an important part of the community, housing a library of over 1,000 books and a reading room that was open to the public some evenings during the week. The institute building was also used for a number of social gatherings including concerts and lectures, with the schedule for evening events planned around the phases of the moon due to the darkness of the unlit roads.

In 1965, the foundation stone of the Glen Osmond Institute was removed. Underneath the stone were two glass bottles that contained documents and items from the time. One bottle was opened, while another remains closed to this day! The opened bottle included a photograph of Elizabeth Boothby, who was the owner of The Glen in Glen Osmond at the time. It also contained coins and pen nibs, as well as a lead bullet (not pictured).

The bottles were initially put back under the foundation stone, along with souvenirs from 1965 in a large brass cylinder. They were, however, recovered again in the early 2000s and added to the Burnside Local History Collection. These items and others are on display in the Burnside Treasures cupboard in the Local History Room in the Burnside Library.

Photos: Left - Glen Osmond Institute, circa 1904. Right - Message in a bottle items on display in the Local History Room at the Burnside Library