Boyertown will be closing off their year-long sesquicentennial celebration by adding a new piece of history to the town.
After 50 years, town officials are burying a time capsule on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Boyertown Community Park. The new time capsule will replace the one left behind from the centennial celebration, dug up and opened only a few months ago.
The centennial capsule, which has been on display at the Boyertown Historical Society, was a small casket built by the old Boyertown Casket Company. It contained various buttons and flyers from the centennial celebration in 1966, including old newspaper clippings and other documents.
“We were disappointed that they didn’t include anything that represented day to day life in Boyertown,” said Lindsey Dierolf from the Historical Society.
“They were really preserving the centennial celebration,” said Lori Carnes, a member of the 150th Anniversary committee, “We want to tell a story to the people 50 years from now.”
The new time capsule is a treasure chest that was designed and built by the Boyertown Planing Mill. To prevent water damage, the chest will be placed inside a larger sealed metal box that will keep it safe from the elements.
“It’s very simple. We designed something that would look nice,” said Sue Wentzel from the Boyertown Planing Mill, “Everyone who works here is signing the inside of the lid.”
Members from the community suggested leaving behind cell phones, magazines, photos of the town, handwritten letters, and even this year’s high school yearbook.
Some of the items selected to be inside include a cell phone, a TV guide, an issue of People Magazine, and the championship baseball from the Boyertown American Legion team who won the state championship this summer. The baseball has been signed by all teammates.
In addition, there will be a book compiled with messages and letters written by people from the community that show what Boyertown is and what locals hope for the future.
During the burial ceremony, the Boyertown Alumni Unit will perform and the time capsule will be left open with a list of all the items that are inside.
The public is encouraged to come. All who attend will be able to throw a handful of dirt onto the capsule as it is being buried.
“If you want to be part of burying it, you can help,” said Carnes.
This event, part of Boyertown’s 150th anniversary festivities, will commence 6 p.m. Friday evening, Dignitaries have been invited to attend but not yet confirmed.
