After months of celebratory events acknowledging the 200th birthday of Simpson County, it all came down to July 4, 2024, and the opening of the 1974 Sesquicentennial time capsule.
The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation and excitement as Don Steen, chair of the Bicentennial Executive Committee, thanked all involved with the Bicentennial before outlining the specifics of the unearthing the capsule and its contents. He announced that workers did not find any water when the vault was excavated the day before. Water would have damaged the contents of the vault that was used as the capsule.
With the exception of the whine of machinery and whispered conversation, the crowd of a few hundred was quiet as they awaited the removal of the vault. Several looked pensive. Once the vault was out, the crowd erupted in applause as it was moved toward the volunteers’ tent where the items would be removed and sorted.
After the top of the vault was detached, Steen announced that while no water had seeped in, there was much black mold on several items. The volunteers wore masks and gloves while they carefully removed objects, placing them in baskets to begin the process of identification. Several on hand received personal items that family members had placed in the vault some recognizable and legible, others not.
Bicentennial volunteers will continue the process of sorting next week.
The Magee Courier/Simpson County News broadcast a live stream of the vault unearthing and opening on their Facebook page which is available to view, as well as several photos from the day’s event.
