A SNAPSHOT of SA society in 1969 was exposed at the Overland Corner Hotel in September when a time capsule was opened 50 years after being buried.
A news banner dated July 21, 1969 that read 'Man On The Moon', 25 wax-sealed packets of wheat, barley and oat seeds donated by Roseworthy Agricultural College, a box of contraceptive pills, an Uncle Scrooge comic and two packets of cigarettes, sans health warnings, were among the treasures found in pristine condition in a 1.8 metre-long copper pipe.
Ten wine bottles sat alongside the time capsule.
"I didn't see anyone rushing forward to sample them," Riverland National Trust public relations officer Bob Cornwell said.
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Mr Cornwell said the items depicted a picture of SA society which, "once the dust settles", would be circulated to local schools in display cabinets.
He said up to 36 people who saw the time capsule buried on September 14, 1969 returned 50 years later on Sunday, September 22 to see it disinterred.
"Those who attended the opening were very excited," Mr Cornwell said.
"There was a lot of anticipation and they went away very happy.
"What was inside extrapolated a stretch of Riverland history.
"It was an opportunity to get an idea of what life was like leading up to 1969."
The heritage-listed Overland Corner Hotel was built in 1859 and licensed in 1860, which it later lost at the turn of the century.
Mr Cornwell said the hotel fell into disrepair, with the National Trust buying it in 1964.
In a bid to make money to refurbish the hotel, the Barmera National Trust, in partnership with the other Riverland branches, arranged to bury a time capsule as a fundraising event.
With 4000 people watching, the Governor of SA Sir James Harrison interred the copper tube, which was soldered shut, granting a wish for it to be raised 50 years later.
Mr Cornwell said Graham Sorrell, a local school teacher, and his wife Jenny designed and manufactured the time capsule.
"Mr Sorrell, who has since passed away, wrote to the British Museum - there were no emails in those days - seeking advice on how to preserve items underground for 50 years," he said.
"The British Museum replied with specifications, which Mr Sorrell followed to the letter.
"Given the items we found were in pristine condition, the advice they gave was obviously spot on."
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