Hikers Stumble On East Brunswick Couple's 40-Year-Old Time Capsule

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A time capsule buried more than 40 years ago by an East Brunswick couple on their honeymoon has resurfaced in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and the hiker who found it is hoping to return it to its owners.

Riley Peterson found the capsule — an old champagne bottle tucked into a small rock crevice — while hiking the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliffs trail in Crawford Notch on May 27 with a friend, Maggie.

"We were looking at some burnt trees from an apparent forest fire and we came across a tiny cave just big enough to reach your arm into," Peterson said. Maggie spotted something inside, and a phone flashlight revealed the bottle, well-preserved despite its age. "We assumed it was maybe 5 or 10 years old based on the condition," Peterson said.

At first, Peterson figured it might be a geocache left by a stranger. "Had we not looked into this literal hole in a pile of rocks we never would have found it," Peterson said. "I imagine that is why Patty and John never were able to locate it, as it was hidden very well."

Getting the contents out took some effort. Peterson said it took breaking two plastic chopsticks before everything finally came free.

Inside, Peterson found a note dated June 23, 1983: "Greetings: Patty + John planted this time capsule during their honeymoon in New Hampshire. We plan to return in 25 years to see if it is still here. If found before June, 2008, please replace. Thank you. Patty and John. Wedding date = 6/18/83."

A second note, written on the back, listed the bottle's contents: a rosebud from the couple's wedding, a 1983 penny bent to fit inside, a travel brochure, a newspaper front page, and a Bic pen case. The items matched what Peterson found — a dried rose, the bent penny, a trifold pamphlet from Six Gun City in Jefferson, an inkless ballpoint pen Peterson believes was used to push everything into the bottle, and the front page of the Rutland Herald from June 21, 1983. The note also identified the couple as being from East Brunswick, honeymooning through Vermont and New Hampshire.

Peterson, a freelance cinematographer and editor who lives in Biddeford, Maine, and grew up in Vermont, said the White Mountains are a frequent stop while traveling back to their home state. After finding the bottle, Peterson tried posting about it in an East Brunswick Facebook group, but the post was declined by the group's admin.

Peterson estimates Patty and John would be in their 60s or 70s now.

"I would love to return this bottle to Patty and John in hopes that it reminds them of the time they spent on their honeymoon," Peterson said. "I have a lovely girlfriend that I have been fortunate enough to do a fair amount of traveling with, and I cherish those moments together immensely. I would love for them to have this little piece of history from their relationship that I hope will remind them of some fond memories they were able to share."

"This is just a once in a lifetime opportunity," Peterson added. "When else in my life am I going to find a 40-year-old time capsule that I could potentially return to its original owners?"

If the couple is found, Peterson has a message for them: "I hope they have lived a loving, happy, and wonderful life together... and inspired [their family] to enjoy the beauty this world has to offer."

Anyone with information on Patty and John's identity is asked to contact Patch, which will relay tips to Peterson.

Contents of the time capsule (Pics: Riley Peterson)

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