AUGUSTA – Maine lawmakers are leaving a time capsule under the new copper sheath of the Statehouse dome.

A bipartisan group of legislative leaders walked up the scaffolding on Tuesday and placed several items into a copper box marked with the state’s motto, “Dirigo 2014.” The box was then put into the side of the dome and sealed shut.

The items include a gavel from the speaker of the House, letters lawmakers wrote to future Mainers, a piece of the old green copper removed from the dome and a copy of Tuesday’s Kennebec Journal.

The Legislative Council on Tuesday also approved a plan to buy back most of the 7,000 square feet of old copper from the contractor so that it can be sold to artists and jewelers and made into souvenirs.

Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe.