Name/Title
1897 Message in Tin BoxEntry/Object ID
Artifact 415Description
A note found in a medicine tin box in a wall, during renovation in early December 2025. Inside the box is a piece of paper with this message in cursive handwriting: "To the New -Dolphins - Pleasure and - Success. Yours - T.J. Kennedy -T.R. Keenan -January 21st 1897"
According to Club Manager John Ingle, the box/note was found during demolition of west wall in short corridor leading to the elevator, off the Staib Room. It was in the wall on which the mail boxes hung before renovation. Found o/a December 5, 2025. It appears a round hole was cut on wall and the item was dropped in
The tin box was wrapped in a large brown paper envelope which fell to pieces after handling subsequent to being first opened to remove the box.
Written on envelope one side: Open.
Written on another of envelope: what looks like names of Kennedy and Keenan, a date, and some other words.
There is also some writing in pencil on the back of the note.
On cover of rectangular tin box: Seidlitz Powders, directions for use, and name of manufacturer The F.A. Weck Company, San Francisco
Seidlitz powders is the generic name under which a commonly known laxative and digestion regulator was marketed and sold by numerous manufacturers ...particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Source Wikipedia article on Seidlitz Powders.)
The boathouse was designed by A.C. Lutgens and built 1895-1896, according to the attached attached news article. The expected cost was $2500. The article says the members would move in as soon as about half that had been spent, and continue work on the interior. Fundraising to finish interior continued through 1896. See Ephemera Folder for 1896 invitations and programs for fundraising events.Dimensions
Dimension Description
ADD dimensions of note and of box
