June 2022 Item of the Month
Jubilee message in a bottle, 1887
![Image of muddy commemorative note by Arthur Beanlands, [20/21 June] 1887 (Add.MS. 1319/1)](https://www.dur.ac.uk/images/visitor-attractions/palace-green-library/IOTM/Add-MS-1319-1_l.JPG)
The call to 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee' is a traditional one. This jubilee year there is the Queen's Green Canopy. In 1887 the Beanlands family commemorated Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee by planting a tree on the site of what is now a part of Palace Green Library. In 1965 during groundworks for an extension, designed by architect George Pace (1915-1975), a bottle was found at a depth of 4 feet in which was sealed a note commemorating the event. Arthur Beanlands (1822-1898) was Lecturer in Astronomy and Treasurer of the University. He lived with his family at Divinity House on the other side of Palace Green. The building is now the home of the Theology Department.
