60's Time Capsule In Their Backyard. Why Would You Disclose Its Location? Must Be Their Sixty Seconds Of Fame!

After 10 Years, This Family Finally Opened the Metal Door in Their Backyard…

IN ENTERTAINMENT, NEWS / BY AMANDA SHEA / ON JUNE 9, 2014 AT 9:37 PM /

A Wisconsin family who had been living in their home for over a decade, knew the whole time that there was a hidden metal door in the ground in the backyard, but somehow were never tempted to open it and see what was inside or where it led to.  Until one day, after all these years, they decided to crack open the metal hatch and discover the mystery behind the door.

The Zwick family were stunned to find out that this was the entrance to a Cold War-era fallout shelter buried right there, in their backyard. A ladder led them down into a bunker, which was a treasure trove, chock full of interesting items from the past.

It was finally time to find out what that metal door was hiding

The heavy steel hatch opened up to reveal an 8ft by 10ft bunker

This ladder led down to the bunker which was filled with water and boxes

The shelter’s previous owner packed away food and snacks for their stay underground

“It was all of what you would expect to find in a 1960’s fallout shelter.  It was food, clothing, medical supplies, tools, flashlights, batteries – items that you would want to have in a shelter if you planned to live there for two weeks.”

The vintage products were the best part of the discovery.

The family donated all of the items to the Neenah Historical Society

The vault in their yard was a giant time capsule

h/t: [ Daily Mail ]

The home had previously been owned by Frank Pansch, a local surgeon.  The shelter was built two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960’s.  During this time of unrest, many Americans prepared themselves for nuclear warfare.  

Although fallout shelters were created for safety from the elements, it was not intended as a protection from a blast, but was adequate as a safe haven from radiation and nuclear fallout. 

The family is fortunate to have discovered well-preserved pieces of history right in their backyard!