Time Capsules
November 24, 2009
For years students have been taught about the idea of a time capsule, and some may even have experience contributing to one. However, the recovery of a citywide time capsule sparks a new interest from the city, not all of which is directed strictly towards the contents.
The time capsule, being buried in 1939, the 100th anniversary of Dupage County, was thought to have been designed to be removed on the 100th anniversary of its burial. For those who can do the math, this year is exactly 30 years before the planned revealing of the capsule. If the purpose of a time capsule is to preserve a specific time period so that a future generation could experience a taste of that time period, then it might seem that opening a time capsule could be slightly counterproductive.
However, according to Kate Houlihan, Naperville’s Community Relations Specialist, “There were no instructions indicating the time capsule needed to be opened in 2039 or any other specific time.” The personnel at Naper Settlement are considered to be responsible for making the decision to open the time capsule at this time.
In addition, the Naper Settlement personnel are being praised for having the forethought to open the time capsule now instead of waiting until the centennial. Many of the items in the time capsule have been damaged due to the natural elements, and could possibly have become destroyed if the time capsule were to have been sealed for much longer.
However, not every item in the time capsule could be saved. The capsule specifically contained photographs of what Houlihan considers to be “unknown images…degraded beyond recognition.” Because this time capsule has been at the mercy of the elements for 70 years, the city is grateful that the rest of the items were decently preserved.
The items concealed in the time capsule are primarily various types of newspapers such as The Downers Grove Reporter and The Daily Journal. In addition various coins and letters were discovered.
A complete list of the contents can be found on the official website for the City of Naperville. Also, for those who want firsthand experience, several items are going to be added to the collection of artifacts at Naper Settlement.
Lucas Giolas, Photo Editor
