BOYERTOWN >> The contents of Boyertown’s 1966 time capsule remained a mystery under bolted glass Friday evening. While the bolts were anticipated, the rust and corrosion was not.
Organizers were unable to open the capsule on Friday during Boyertown’s 150th Anniversary kickoff ceremony.
“I hope the crowd is not too disappointed,” said Lori Carnes, chairwoman of the Boyertown 150 Anniversary Committee.
“We had no idea this would happen,” added Jayne McHugh another committee member. “I wish we would have; would have been prepared,”
The capsule itself, a casket built by Boyertown Casket Co., was pulled out of the ground and put on display for all to see. Once opened, the small casket unveiled a deteriorated lid and a layer of bolted glass to protect the 50-year-old contents. Only a blurry glimpse of what’s inside could be seen through the thick glass layer.
The hundreds of folks who gathered at the park for the unveiling were able to line up and get an up-close look at unearthed piece of history.
“We can’t pull the belongings out of it right now,” said McHugh to the crowd once organizers realized they wouldn’t be able to get it open right away.
The site itself was prepped on Tuesday. McHugh said it took about two hours of digging to get to the capsule.
Mayor Marianne Deery, Council President Frank Deery, and Lori Carnes – with the help of some others – worked together to pull the capsule up out of the earth.
The hope is to have the capsule and its contents available to the public Saturday during the block party at the Boyertown Historical Society building on Chestnut Street.
The block party will go on – rain or shine, according to Carnes.
The parade is a different story. With a forecast of scattered rain, the Boyertown 150 Anniversary Committee will be announcing at 8 a.m. Saturday whether the parade is moving forward. Participants and attendees are encouraged to look for the announcement on the anniversary celebration Facebook page www.facebook.com/boyertown150 or the website at www.boyertown150.com.
The party starts at 3 p.m. and will run until 9 p.m. at the Colebrookdale Railroad Yard, 101 E. Third St. There will be plenty of vendors, wineries, music, a birthday cake and the crowning of the sesquicentennial royalty.
Coinciding with the party, attendees will be able to see and ride aboard the Steam Engine Viscose Co. No. 6. Forty-five minute, 6-mile excursions aboard the steam engine are scheduled for May 22, 23, 28 and 29.
The Colebrookdale Railroad is running this special steam engine in celebration of the borough’s 150th birthday. Visit the colebrookdalerailroad.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
The borough’s celebration will wrap up on Sunday at 2 p.m. with a nondenominational religious ceremony at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
