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Middlebury Time Capsule Opened After 77 Years

photo by Mike Cameron

photo by Mike Cameron

photo by Mike Cameron

Tuesday August 2, 2016

By Mike Cameron

If we were curious about its contents, now we know. A rectangular copper box with a tightly fitted lid was opened on Tuesday evening, July 26, 2016 at a gathering in the new Middlebury Municipal Building atrium.  Before the opening of the historic artifact, Middlebury Selectboard Chairman Brian Carpenter, welcomed the gathering and gave some historic perspective to the proceedings.
    “Good evening.  Thank you for joining us tonight, Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Middlebury's new Town offices at 77 Main Street, for the opening of the time capsule found in the cornerstone of the former Municipal Auditorium-Gymnasium at 94 Main Street on July 5, 2016.  We especially welcome those present when the time capsule was placed in the cornerstone-please raise your hand if you attended the ceremony or remember that day.  Thank You.”  Carpenter said.
    92-year old Robert Myrick raised his hand.  He witnessed the event and remembers in vivid detail what happened that day three-quarters of a century ago.  Mr. Myrick would assist in identifying items in the box as it was opened by Middlebury Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay.
    Contents included an Easter edition of The New York Times, copies of The Middlebury Record, including the copy that indicated authorization of the building project in the amount of $135,000,   other municipal documents and a copy of “Otter Tracks” the Middlebury High School paper were removed from the box one by one.  “How much did the newspapers cost back then?” was asked.  The price for the New York Times was ten cents.  The price for the local paper, The Record was five cents back in 1937-38.  Both were loaded with news stories and articles including subtle hints of the up-coming and devastating World War 2 in the Times.  There was a roster of the current Middlebury High School students.
    The time capsule's contents are now under the protection of the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury. Decisions are being made on how to best display the contents for future viewing.  It is a vital link to Middlebury's past and an important connector to the town's future.
    “In his March 2016 documentation of the Municipal Gymnasium for the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation, Architect Thomas Keefe noted that:  “The cornerstone of the new Middlebury High School annex was set in place in the north easterly corner of the structure next to College Street, yesterday (Thursday, April 13th 1939.  There was no formal ceremony, but representatives of the school board, contractors, A.L. Lawrence of the Federal PWA and George H. Carleton for the school board, Principal A.D. Seaver, teachers, students and town authorities were on hand.” Chairman Carpenter explained further to those assembled.
    After the ceremony, The Voice asked the Chairman how he felt about the day's historic events.  “We have a brand new Municipal Building and it is state-of-the-art in energy efficiency making it much more comfortable and productive to conduct meetings and town business.  The time capsule helps us understand some of the history surrounding the old high school and municipal complex.  Those buildings were finally demolished this afternoon and now the debris will be cleared for green space where the old buildings once stood.”  he added.
    Middlebury now has completed several important large scale municipal projects including a new fire station up-grade, bridge spanning Otter Creek, green energy, municipal office complex, and a new recreational building with gymnasium.  What will people say about these projects 77 years from now?  Time will tell. 

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