Time Capsule at The Post

In 1955, work began on a new post office for the growing city of Vancouver. Buried at the foot of the 4.9-metre carved granite postman by Paul Huba lay a time capsule that was placed on November 29, 1955.

During the Main Post Office’s construction, the metropolitan area’s population more than doubled from 600,000 to over 1.3 million. When it opened, it featured state-of-the-art construction, lavish materials, and commissioned artworks.

Identified as International Style Modernist architecture, the building elevated downtown Vancouver’s reputation and strategic importance as the modern city centre and central business hub on the West Coast. The facility was equipped with an elaborate system of mechanical conveyors that processed 57,600 parcels per hour. It was one of the federal government’s most iconic buildings constructed after the Second World War.

That’s why QuadReal Property Group challenged itself to preserve the best of the past while building for the future. The Post is one of the most ambitious heritage redevelopments in Canada’s history, preserving the building’s architectural features through sustainable and adaptive reuse.

And part of their dedication to preserving the past included inviting the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) to curate a display in the atrium—which brings us back to the time capsule.

What was in that time capsule?

It was everyone’s burning question.

Upon opening the copper box, we found nine historic photographs, six Canadian coins, 300 Canadian postage stamps, four local newspapers and numerous letters and publications. Sealed on November 29, 1955, by the Honourable Robert H. Winters, Minister of Public Works, the time capsule was recovered in 2019 during renovation work. Its contents were retrieved on April 24, 2023, with the support of MOV staff.

And now they’re on view at The Post. The curatorial team opted to display a large portion of the time capsule’s contents. In the background of the case is a large photo portraying the well-dressed audience at the Main Post Office’s opening reception. The front image features an enlarged newspaper with the caption: “Years from now, when the building is outmoded, someone will read all about the 1955 Grey Cup.”

More than just objects—and learning about the winning team that year—the time capsule reveals prevalent ideas and values of the postwar era: boundless optimism for technological innovation and an aspiration for modern industrial life.

With its two new office towers, rising to 21 and 22 storeys, and its 1.1 million square feet of office space, The Post is now the largest office building in Vancouver.

A special thanks to Soumya Design for the graphic design work! Photos of display at The Post by Bruce McPherson Photography. Photos of time capsule items and reveal courtesy of QuadReal and MOV. Original newspaper clipping and photos from the Vancouver Sun.

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