Time Reopened: The Original Washington Duke Hotel's Time Capsule

Artifacts

These artifacts, with the exception of the hotel room key, were found preserved within the time capsule alongside the hotel prospectus and laying of the cornerstone documents.  They represent products and materials prominent in Durham during the 1920s. Several artifacts are products associated with the Duke family and Washington Duke's legacy.

 

Photographs

Photo of Washington Duke: Namesake of the hotel. 

Photographs

Photo of John A. Buchanan: He led the campaign to fund and build the hotel.

Hotel Room Key

Key to Hotel Room: This is the one item on display not found in the original time capsule, but was added later as another memento of the old hotel.

Tobacco Bags

Tobacco Bags: Well known for its tobacco, Durham also had a thriving industry of tobacco bag makers, including the large Golden Belt factory.

Riz Tam Tam

Riz Tam Tam: A natural complement to loose tobacco, Durham’s Liggett and Meyers imported and branded French rolling papers. Liggett and Meyers became part of the Duke Family’s American Tobacco Company empire in 1899.

Chesterfield cigarettes, and Duke’s Mixture and Durham Bull tobacco

Duke’s Mixture, Chesterfield Cigarettes, Durham Bull Tobacco: Duke’s Mixture was an early loose tobacco brand of W. Duke & Sons, Chesterfield was one of Liggett and Meyers' signature brands, Bull Durham tobacco was manufactured by W. T. Blackwell and Company.

Gingham Cotton

Gingham Cotton: The Durham Cotton Manufacturing Company was established in the 1880s under Julian Shakespeare Carr. Beginning by making tobacco bags, they expanded into a range of cotton goods.

Gingham Cotton

Gingham Cotton Samples: From the Durham Cotton Manufacturing Company.

Hosiery

Hosiery: In 1925, Durham was well known for its textiles, including the socks and hose produced by the Durham Hosiery Mill. Two examples were placed in the time capsule, including a sample with the word “Durham” charmingly embroidered on a pair of hose.

Hosiery

Hosiery Close-Up.

Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info