50 years later, time capsule opened

Event celebrates Capac Historical Society

 

CAPAC — A white bikini, Spider-Man comics and a community gospel booklet; these are just a few of the trinkets pulled from the silver, insulation-filled time capsule Saturday, May 30, at Kempf Historical Center presented by the Historical Society to the packed crowd of Capac residents.

The crowd held current and former Capac residents alike. Some of which were present during the first burial in 1976.

The youngest attendee of the event being a one-year old on the Time Capsule edition paper, Jennifer Nicole Bade, was in attendance. Another attendee was a Girl Scout who was pictured on the time capsule float. Another was Karl Bayer, the former editor of The Capac Journal and Tri City Times, and former owner of the Tri City Record in Watervliet, Michigan.

Bayer covered the event as a journalist for the time capsule edition. And two Boy Scouts who were pictured holding the flag.

Throughout the program, former charter members and residents present on that day were invited to give a few words about Capac, the first time capsule, and their own history within their small town roots.

“I have no memories of the time capsule.” Bade said. “I haven’t been back in ages, I didn’t grow up here, but there was still a peace that felt like coming home as we drove back here … I have some great memories of being here as a kid.”

In another speech, Dale Ledebuhr, spoke about the stories and history that were passed down.

“I was told how the Native Americans in the area were not like the stories of settler conquest, conflict, and war. The original people were inquisitive, caring, and helpful to the settlers of Mussey and Lynn Township,” he said.

“My great grandmother, Mary, got lost as a youth [during] a time when wolves were still common in the area. A Native American search party found her and brought her to the family’s farm on Foley Road.”

During the first event in 1976, members of the Bicentennial Heritage Committee originally planned for the time capsule to be opened for 2076, and at the end of the bicentennial celebration, they wanted to commemorate the event.

According to a brief from the Historical Committee, the minutes of their first meeting in 1976 stated: “It is fitting and proper that the bicentennial year of 1976 leaves something permanent in the Capac Community,” they continued.

“The opening of the capsule in 2076 would reveal to those present some of the pride and enthusiasm that went into it as the first project of the newly founded Historical Society.”

The Historical Committee then voted unanimously to open the capsule for its 50th anniversary, in tandem with the commemoration of the semi-quincentennial (250th) of America as a way to pay homage to the community that was present on the day, and to pass it on to the next generation.

“It was tremendous for these people who are still living, who were part of the time capsule or whose parents were part of the time capsule to be able to take part in opening it,”

Said Roxann Mills “another 50 years will be three, four generations removed and it would not have meant as much to those people in the 50 years as it did today.”

During the ceremony, Muhammed Smidy, Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s District Director, presented the Certification of Special Congressional Recognition for the outstanding and invaluable service to the community.

The objects within the capsule were met with a flurry of emotions and reactions. The box was filled to the brim with many repeat objects like special edition bicentennial newspaper from now defunct newspapers, a thick declaration signed by Capac residents, a Bicentennial flag, a farmers almanac or two, and farmers magazines.

The aforementioned white bikini brought a laugh from the crowd, and a photo of a married couple initiated discussion and inquiries as to who they were: “Those are the Hazels! I know them!” someone yelled from the crowd.

A red food menu with the name Aubrey’s brought oh’s and ah’s, for both the nostalgia and the prices (0.80 cents for a burger).

Other objects included handwritten letters, some of which were still sealed and left unopened; a middle school teacher left a recorded cassette tape; a yearbook and some Capac High School newspapers; Frankie’s potato pancake mix; and concluded with vintage Barbie and Ken dolls. By the end, the table was full of papers and objects alike.

With the conclusion of this time capsule, the committee plans on reusing and refilling it for the next event in 50 years. The new capsule will be filled and buried in October.

“Today, as you can see, we had a great turnout and I think it’s extremely important to get the history of the town out to the younger generation,” said Ron Kriesch President of the Historical Society.

“Those older folks are dying off [and] we have to carry on the traditions.”

Hailey Lloyd, a greeter and middle schooler who attended the event said that “Helping out is so much fun and like it’s a little crowded and loud, but still very fun, and I love looking at the time capsule and everything that’s in it.” When asked about her plans for the next opening in 2076, she said, “I’m hoping I can come back. That’d be really cool.”

“The young kids here will be the ones who will be remaining to open the time capsule in 2076,” said Mills.

“So I think it’s so important for them to be here today to see this and to hopefully come back … and be a part of it. They may not remember everything, but they may remember a little bit of it.”

Time capsule contents will be on display in the Kempf Center until September 30. Their viewing hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.