Tellepsen, Masons Reveal Downtown Time Capsule Contents
Tellepsen Announces Renewed Effort to Lay Cornerstones at Every New Building Project
HOUSTON (September 11, 2009) - Standing with bated breath in the Masonic Temple Building in downtown Houston, hundreds of Masons, along with members and friends of the Tellepsen family, gathered September 8, 2009 as an 86-year old time capsule was pulled from the cornerstone of the building built by Tom Tellepsen in 1923.
Documents proving the existence of the time capsule were discovered only months ago, when it was found that Tom Tellepsen, the founder of Tellepsen and the general contractor for the Masonic Temple Building, along with his fellow Masons, placed their memorabilia into the small lead box in 1923 and sealed it inside the building's cornerstone. Generations later, it would be Tom's grandsons, Howard T. Tellepsen, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Tellepsen, and Tom Tellepsen II who would remove the lead box and place it into the hands of their mother, 93-year-old June Tellepsen.
Beginning with a grand procession featuring a marching Mason band, the removal of the time capsule coincided with Tellepsen's centennial celebration of building in Houston and supporting the surrounding community. Howard T. Tellepsen, Jr. explained that the placement of cornerstones honored a building and its history. As a "Cornerstone of the Community," Tellepsen made a special announcement regarding their future building projects.
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Pictured: Observing, as time capsule contents are being revealed are, left to right, Michael D. Nanny, past Grand Master of Masons in Texas, June Tellepsen, Elizabeth Appleby, curator for the San Jacinto Museum of History, and Randon Reaves, chairman of the Houston Masonic Library and Museum Foundation.
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"It's our intention to re-establish a long-held tradition in the construction business, one that we feel was lost," said Howard Tellepsen, Jr. "Beginning in October with the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone at the Tellepsen Family YMCA in downtown Houston, Tellepsen will renew efforts to lay a cornerstone in buildings we construct, as desired by our clients."
After the announcement, the time capsule was gently cut open and Elizabeth Appleby, curator for the San Jacinto Museum of History, along with Masons and other onlookers, peered inside.
The box's contents had fallen victim to 86 years of Houston weather and humidity, as only disintegrating pieces of paper were discovered. The one legible artifact was a report from a 1923 edition of the Houston Dispatch, detailing the cornerstone laying ceremony at the Masonic Temple Building.
"The Houston weather can play havoc on documents like these, even when inside a sealed box," said Appleby. "The article in the capsule is still such a great piece of history, one that we'll be sure to preserve for others to see for years to come."
The contents of the time capsule will be cleaned and put on display at the Masonic Temple Building and the Houston Masonic Library and Museum, which will hold its annual gala November 12th at the Houston Club. This year's gala will honor the Tellepsen family.
"It was remarkable seeing this piece of Masonic history unfolding before us," said Randon Reaves, chairman of the Houston Masonic Library and Museum Foundation. "The Masonic Temple Building was originally constructed to house the Gray and Temple Mason Lodges, and the fact that Tom Tellepsen, a 53-year Mason, was in this same room placing the time capsule nearly a century ago only adds to the depth of the history we Masons share."
"I so felt the presence of my grandfather here today," said Howard T. Tellepsen, Jr. "He built this building and now we're continuing to celebrate his values - with this time capsule and his company's 100-year anniversary, this is a very, very special time for us."
About Tellepsen
A cornerstone of the community, Tellepsen, a fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated construction company with more than a century of experience, has constructed many landmarks that profile Houston's landscape. Enhancing the quality of life in our communities, Tellepsen's building experience ranges from healthcare, education, industrial plants and churches to mission-critical facilities, retail, hospitality and office buildings. For more information on the company, projects, awards, news and helpful building advice, visit www.tellepsen.com.
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