Opening Set for Former Clarington School’s Time Capsule
Following months of anticipation, community members will finally learn what is inside the former Clarington school time capsule.
A gathering for the opening is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at the Clarington Fire Hall, where the time capsule will be opened.
The capsule was hidden inside the "Salem Special High School" cornerstone by the Clarington Masonic Lodge when that portion of the building was constructed in 1925. Crews removed the time capsule from the cornerstone of the former school earlier this year prior to the structure's demolition in late January. The building was utilized as a public school until its closing in 1993. In the years leading up to the demolition, the site was vandalized on numerous occasions and filled with junk and litter.
Taylor Abbott, Monroe County treasurer and chairman of the Monroe County Land Reutilization Corp. or land bank, said the capsule remains unopened with its contents unknown, which has drummed up a lot of excitement among residents.
"We're really excited about it. It's not been opened. It's in a safe in a secured location waiting for the day it's opened again," he said.
Although those involved have no idea what could be inside the approximately 6- by 4-inch rectangular box, Abbott said he believes it could contain paper content such as newspaper clippings or photographs.
"It doesn't sound like there's any coins of any kind in it, but those could have been wrapped in something. But it's exciting to see what might have been in there or what they wanted to put in there for us to find down the road," he said. "… It's hard to tell, though. There's no description for what goes into these time capsules, so it'll be a surprise for all of us because as far as we know, there's no written record anywhere telling who was on site that day or what was contained."
Abbott said he is working with the Masonic Lodge and fire department for the capsule's opening -- two integral organizations in the Clarington community.
"It's nice for the community because those organizations are centerfolds for Clarington. Both have been large parts of our community in fundraising efforts in good times and bad, so it's good to see them coming together to help us with this. The lodge was responsible for laying the cornerstone on this building in 1925, so we're bringing it full circle," he said.
Abbott said trophies and graduating class photos from the former school are displayed along the walls of the fire hall, which made it a perfect location for the unveiling of the capsule's contents.
"Our plan is to have a gathering to celebrate the history of the school and open the time capsule. Bricks can also be picked up, for free, by anyone who wanted one," he said.
Abbott said the informal event is open to the public with reservations not being required. Refreshments will be provided to those in attendance.
He said they also plan to kick off the fundraising efforts for the proposed monument dedicated to the former school at the event.