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120-Year-Old Time Capsule Opened Despite Custody Battle

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The time capsule which has been at the center of a custody battle in Pittsburgh has now been opened.

Mayor Bill Peduto and the Heinz History Center unveiled the contents found at the Brashear Factory site.

It contained around 60 artifacts, including photos of John Brashear and his wife, tintypes and glass.

All priceless artifacts from a telescope maker who was considered one of the founding father of American Astronomy.

"People ask us, 'what's the value of this collection?' and quite truthfully, the monetary value isn't very high," said Andy Masich, President and CEO of the Heinz History Center. "But the historical value to us here in Pittsburgh is quite tremendous."

After the time capsule was discovered, descendants of Brashear donated another 40 items to the museum -- including his last will and testament.

The city and the contractor who discovered the capsule during demolition have been fighting over who it belongs to.

It was buried 120 years ago.

"When you ask what's the importance of this, this changed the world," said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. "It's where astrophysics was created, it's where zones were created, it's where equipment that proved Einstein's Theory of Relativity was developed."

And it's the place a true Pittsburgher called home.

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