Two time capsules, one thought to have been buried almost 160 years ago, have been discovered during the refurbishment of Derby’s historic Market Hall. 

Contractors working on the transformation of the Grade-II listed building uncovered two sealed glass containers behind a bronze memorial plaque, near the Guildhall entrance.

Now people will get the chance to see the contents of the capsules up close when a special exhibition opens at Derby Local Studies Library on 4 December. Running until 14 January 2024, the exhibition is free and includes pictures and press cuttings tracing the history of the Market Hall.

It’s thought the first capsule was placed within the building when the memorial stone for the “New Market Hall” was laid by Mayor of Derby, Councillor Thomas Roe, on February 16, 1864.

The capsule was opened to reveal several historic items marking the occasion. Treasures included a copy of The Times and The Standard newspapers, an “Order of Procession” from the laying of the stone event, and the Mayor’s seal.

The second capsule dates back to January 1938 when the interior of the Market Hall was completely refurbished. It also contains coins and newspapers, providing a fascinating insight into the news of the time. The Derbyshire Evening Telegraph reported that Derby said good-bye to the last of Basque refugee children who had been evacuated to Burnaston House, Derby during the Spanish Civil War.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism said:

The Market Hall is one of our most prominent buildings and these time capsules are a reminder of its place in our city’s history. It’s great that Councillors of the time had the foresight to bury these items for future generations to find. We’re grateful to the construction team for recognising they had stumbled across something special and handling them with such care.

Our vision is that the Market Hall continues to play a central role in Derby’s future, becoming a place where people want to visit and spend time. When the time is right, we will replace the capsules in the Market Hall and add another, marking another significant point in the history of the building.

The building was officially declared open on May 29, 1866, by Mayor Frederick Longdon. According to the Illustrated London News, the occasion was marked with a procession and an appropriate inaugural ceremony, including a performance of Handel's Messiah.

One of its most impressive features is its cast iron, copper and glass roof, which was designed by Melbourne engineer Rowland Mason Ordish, who famously went on to work on the ornate roof at London’s St Pancras railway station. 

The extensive structural restoration of the roof was finished in August 2022 and needed a scaffolding structure weighing almost 900 tonnes, equivalent to eight blue whales, to complete the works. 

The second phase of the transformation, now underway, focuses on refurbishing the interior and developing the public space outside at Osnabruck Square.

This includes re-instating the original two entrances and installing a grand central staircase. The old stalls have been removed to reveal a huge open plan space on the ground floor.

A new frontage will incorporate full-length windows overlooking Osnabruck Square to open up the area inside and outside the building, with the scheme set for completion in Spring 2025.

Market Days will run from 4 December to 14 January 2024 at the Local Studies Library, Riverside Chambers, Full Street, Derby It will display the time capsules and contents alongside historic photographs and documents telling the story of the Market Hall. Admission is free.