茄子直播

Lost and found: University College鈥檚 revitalization uncovers a 30-year-old mystery

Photo of found purse
Lost for 30 years, this purse was found in the rubble during University College renovations (photo courtesy of UC)

For Suzanne Rochford, getting her purse stolen was a major blow.

Rochford, who was a fourth-year engineering student at the time, was about to cash $2,000 in Canada Savings Bonds to help pay for her tuition. The bonds were sitting snug in her purse on her Knox College dorm room dresser while she went to the washroom. When she returned, her purse, its contents and the bonds were gone.

When she received an email from University College 茄子直播 Relations Officer Mike Henry saying her purse was found, she was shocked. Finding a stolen item is one thing 鈥 but the theft occurred more than 30 years ago.

It was 1987 when Rochford鈥檚 purse went missing along with the bonds, a bank card, birth certificate, a Simpsons department store card (her first credit card), her favourite silver necklace 鈥 and a coupon for one free hug. Five minutes away from her dorm room and everything was gone.

Panicked, she reported the incident, and a notice was issued to all residents. It was also an enormous hassle for an already busy student.

鈥淭his was before the internet,鈥 says Rochford. 鈥淚 had to physically go to each administrative office and fill in paper forms to get replacements.鈥

This January, University College embarked on its revitalization project 鈥 a massive undertaking to rejuvenate and update the historic building. Demolition crews began removing the building鈥檚 old plaster and drywall in East and West Halls, and Croft Chapter house.

Read about UC's revitalization project

Find out what goes into conserving and updating 茄子直播鈥檚 heritage buildings

While working, a crew member came across an object peeking out of drywall. As he continued to remove the debris, he discovered that it was Rochford鈥檚 purse 鈥 in perfect condition and full of personal contents.

The crew member immediately advised management and the purse was delivered to Henry who contacted Rochford.

鈥淲hen I received the email and read the first few lines, I thought it might be a scam,鈥 says Rochford. 鈥淏ut as I continued to read there was far too much very specific detail for a scam.鈥

Rochford, of course, emailed Henry back, recounting to him what she could remember about the event.

Henry, in turn, described the items still in the purse: the savings bonds, birth certificate, Simpsons card and free hug coupon.

Thirty years later, Rochford鈥檚 purse was returned with its contents, which had become somewhat of a time capsule of another lifetime.

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