STAFFORD – A time capsule encapsulating the “now” of Stafford Township will remain untouched for the next fifty years.
Stafford Township officials entombed the time capsule in a special brick-faced vault at an outdoor ceremony. Newly crowned members of the township’s royal family also joined in the celebration.
“I know we’re here in 2021, but 2020 was a very unusual year,” began Stafford Township Mayor Gregory E. Myhre. “Some say it’s one to forget, but I think it’s one we’re all going to remember.”
Although he wasn’t able to make it to the ceremony on time, Councilman George Williams said he came up with the time capsule idea. It caught fire with his colleagues, and everyone from the community was invited to contribute.
The concept was not just about capturing the end of a decade. It also meant sharing the challenges of the pandemic with the generations to follow.
The time capsule itself took shape in the form of a treasure chest fabricated by Kurt Brownell, an employee of Stafford Township’s Department of Public Works. He equipped it with locks and used heavy steel, designing the 130-pound container to stand the test of time.
Authorities are a bit vague about the time capsule contents, although a quick glance inside revealed multiple large envelopes.
Some wondered if a modern-day cell phone would turn up as an artifact when the time capsule is reopened in another five decades. Or if someone thought to include a sample COVID-19 test kit.
“People from around the community wrote letters and took pictures,” said Myhre. “Some made crafts and found objects that would fit in the time capsule.”
Students throughout Stafford played a significant role in the contents of the treasure chest. Many shared what they found was most important to them – even if it was as simple as recording their present-day friends.
Fifty years seems a lifetime away to wait for what amounts to buried treasure. As Stafford’s future leaders dig up the past, they may be in for some surprises.
