Earthquake-strengthening the former Sacred Heart College chapel on St Johns Hill a couple of years ago uncovered a remarkably well preserved copy on the Wanganui Chronicle that was almost 100 years old.
The paper was found under the chapel foundations by Mark Audain who was then working for DML Builders that carried out the work. The chapel is now part of the Jane Winstone retirement village.
Mr Audain is currently lecturing in carpentry at Whanganui UCOL but brought the paper into the Chronicle for safe keeping.
The paper is dated Thursday, March 27, 1919, a little over four months after the last shots were fired to end World War 1.
Age has left the paper in a very fragile condition but it's still readable and opens up a glimpse of life in the Whanganui community more than 97 years ago.