An overdue renovation project had led to a historical discovery in Jersey City.

Mayor Steven Fulop says that the city has been using the current COVID-19 shutdown to work on projects that would have otherwise inconvenienced city residents. One of those projects was the renovation of the inside of City Hall.

When crews lifted the old vinyl linoleum floors from the hallway, Fulop says that they expected to find trash. But what they found was the original floor tiles.

“We actually found the original tiles from the mid-1800s. So, it was a nice surprise. We’ll continue to restore those. It changed the entire character and feel of inside the building,” Fulop says.

Crews also found historic tiles outside of the council chambers.

Fulop says that the city plans to fully restore the original flooring