The cornerstones of buildings would not infrequently contain room to place a metal box in which the builders and owners would place items relative to the purpose of the building, the people involved in its construction, the year it was constructed, etc.

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Laying a Corner-Stone.The laying of the corner-stone of the First Baptist church, Lansingburgh, occurred yesterday afternoon, under the direction of the Rev. C. F. Stanley, pastor of the church, assisted by clergymen of Troy and Lansingburgh. The tin box placed in the corner-stone contained the following:Programme of the exercises, names of the teachers and scholars of the Sunday school, names of officers and members of the societies of the church, of the officers of the church, of the building committee, of pastors since 1858, architect's name, name of contractor, Masonic directory, Troy Times containing a programme of the exercises, and other Troy and Lansingburgh papers.Troy Daily Times. September 21, 1886: 3 col 2.