Historical Society To Open Time Capsule, Replace With New
February 20, 2020
A Stone County Court House Birthday party is being planned.
The stretch class for gifted children at Galena Elementary researched the county courthouse and it will be 100 years old this March. They asked for the Stone County Historical and Genealogical Society’s help in organizing a celebration.
After getting permission from the county commissioners, we found a mason to open the time capsule, which was placed in the cornerstone. The initial opening took place on Monday, February 10, with a three hour session of drilling and sawing on the northeast corner of the courthouse. “Finally, we hit pay dirt and a small copper box was retrieved,” said Julie Green with the historical society. “We had already made arrangements with the state archivists to help us get the items properly cleaned and ready for display. On Tuesday the 11th, three ladies from the state arrived in Galena at 8 a.m. We then opened the box and began removing the contents.
“What a pleasant surprise! There was no mold or water damage to the contents. The archivists were then able to clean all the items and place them in folders. These contents will not be revealed until the rededication of the courthouse and the new time capsule interred in March,” she said. This celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at the courthouse. Food will be provided by the Galena Project Graduation at a nominal price. Descendants of the original people who placed the time capsule are invited. A band will play old time music. And the time capsule will be placed back in the cornerstone.
The stretch class for gifted children at Galena Elementary researched the county courthouse and it will be 100 years old this March. They asked for the Stone County Historical and Genealogical Society’s help in organizing a celebration.
After getting permission from the county commissioners, we found a mason to open the time capsule, which was placed in the cornerstone. The initial opening took place on Monday, February 10, with a three hour session of drilling and sawing on the northeast corner of the courthouse. “Finally, we hit pay dirt and a small copper box was retrieved,” said Julie Green with the historical society. “We had already made arrangements with the state archivists to help us get the items properly cleaned and ready for display. On Tuesday the 11th, three ladies from the state arrived in Galena at 8 a.m. We then opened the box and began removing the contents.
“What a pleasant surprise! There was no mold or water damage to the contents. The archivists were then able to clean all the items and place them in folders. These contents will not be revealed until the rededication of the courthouse and the new time capsule interred in March,” she said. This celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at the courthouse. Food will be provided by the Galena Project Graduation at a nominal price. Descendants of the original people who placed the time capsule are invited. A band will play old time music. And the time capsule will be placed back in the cornerstone.