It's About Time

... time capsules, that is.

During my Route 50 cross-country trip, I took a photo of the marker for the Wood County Bicentennial time capsule. It's located in front of the historic County Courthouse in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

In doing some quick online research on the Wood County web site, I learned that: "As the rallying point for the County's 1999 Bicentennial celebration, a time capsule was placed near the west entrance. It is to be opened in 2099."

Just how common are time capsules?

I was startled, based on checking out the "customer list" for one of the time capsule manufacturers -- the appropriately named Time Capsules, Inc. -- just how many municipalities and other groups already have time capsules, many with 100 year due dates. They range from the Clinton Presidential Library (topping the customer list) to places like Charleston County, South Carolina; the City of Temecula, California; Tempe, Arizona; and -- believe it or not, the Village of Sleepy Hollow, New York.

There's also an International Time Capsule Society. It's headquartered at Atlanta's Oglethorpe University. They offer some practical advice for time capsulers. Here are just a few excerpts from their Eight Tips on How to Organize a Time Capsule:

"Select a retrieval date. A 50-year or less time capsule may be witnessed by your own generation. The longer the duration, the more difficult the task. Centennial (100-year) time capsules are popular.

... It is not recommended that time capsules be "buried" -- thousands have been lost in this way. It is important that the location be marked with a plaque describing the "mission" of the time capsule.

... Have a solemn "sealing ceremony" where you formally christen the time capsule with a name. Invite the media and keep a good photographic record of your efforts, including the inside of your completed project.

... Don't forget your time capsule! You would be surprised how often this happens, usually within a short time."

Note from PCJ Editor Wayne Senville: if your town, city, or county has a time capsule, tell us about it. What's in it? Any planning-related documents? Where's it located? Just use the Comment link below.