PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – A handyman repairing a ceiling tile at a United Way office discovered a bit of not-so-ancient history.

The worker was removing the ceiling tile last week when he reached up into a duct and found a plastic bottle wrapped in duct tape. He originally thought it was trash, but closer inspection showed it was a time capsule left behind by two members of the U.S. Air Force’s office of special investigations in 1989.

The United Way of the Greater Seacoast office is at Pease International Tradeport, which formerly served as an Air Force base.

Workers were not allowed to open the capsule until a Department of Homeland Security officer was dispatched to inspect the bottle and check for classified documents. According to United Way spokeswoman Liza Dube, the bottle contained a photographs, bus and airport schedules, a T-shirt and an itinerary from a visit by former President George H.W. Bush.

A pamphlet about HIV and AIDS also was found.

The bottle was marked “2 of 2,” leading officials to believe there is another capsule hidden somewhere else in the building. The memorabilia is on display in the office’s boardroom.

“We’ve been passing it around at meetings and sharing with people,” said Dube. “And we’re hoping it will highlight the fact that our building is falling apart.”


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