KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The YWCA of Knoxville marked the 100th anniversary of its downtown building in a special way by uncovering a piece of history.
Staff and supporters gathered Friday afternoon to uncover and open a time capsule outside the historic building at 420 West Clinch Avenue. The capsule was discovered during the YWCA’s recent renovation of the Nancy J. Land Center. It is believed to have been sealed within the building’s walls in the 1920s, with one paper found in the capsule dated to September 1925.
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“It’s perfect timing as we prepare for this renovation, because we’re preparing for the next hundred years and our next century of impact. It’s really incredible that a group of about a dozen women sold newspapers and raised money to build this building. And now, 100 years later, we’ve received this community support to reinvigorate it and expand our programs and our services,” said Natalie Stair, CEO of YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley.
The time capsule contained mementos from the early years of the YWCA movement and the women`s suffrage era. The items found will be on public display at the East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum in the next few weeks.
YWCA’s $11.5 million downtown renovation project to expand the Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Women’s Program is nearly completed. The project expands the program’s housing capacity by 20%. YWCA said the updated facilities will give 70 women with safe, modern spaces designed to foster stability, dignity, and a sense of home…