Adams Creates Time Capsule to Be Opened in 25 Years
ADAMS, Mass. — As America celebrated its 250th anniversary, Adams looked toward the future by creating a time capsule to preserve pieces of the community for future generations.
During the town's 250th celebration, hundreds of people explored Greylock Glen, visiting vendors by local businesses and educational organizations that showcased exhibits connecting the community's past with its future.
Among them was the time capsule, which will be reopened 25 years from now. Attendees put pen to cardstock to reflect on the celebration, current events, the community, and their hopes for the area's future.
The letters were then sealed with red wax and placed inside a glass container, preserving their thoughts for future generations.
Some participants spent more than 15 minutes at the tables reflecting on what they wanted to preserve for future generations, volunteer Nancy Garton said.
"People were curious," she said, adding that it was touching to see people participating in history as it was being made.
One woman shared that contributing to the time capsule made her feel connected to the future, as if she would still be present 25 years from now, Garton said.
"It was a lot of reflective writing. It was very amazing to see people take their time and put down an entire card filled with their thoughts. So, I'm not sure what everybody wrote, but they were very engaged," she said.
Rather than being buried, to preserve on costs, the capsule will be stored in town clerks' vault until it's time to be reopened, said Susan Denault, 250Adams secretary.
"[Buried capsules are] like $1,000, then you have to worry about moisture getting in them," she said.
It is important to remind people of the nation's history and the community's history, which is what the 250th anniversary celebration is all about, Denault said.
"So, we want people to be more informed about the past and how it's relevant to today," she said.
This capsule pushes this mission to the future, providing future generations with insights on what went on today, and just what's happening in general during these times, she said.
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