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Time Capsules



Dear List,

        As supervisor of our Genealogy and Local History Library I've been asked
to assist at the opening of one of those pesky time capsules! The
information I have is that it was buried in 1961 in the courtyard of a
local middle school. It was described to me as a oxidizing metal barrel
sealed with concrete. The items included in the capsule (as far as anyone
knows) are: letters, photos, a Jackie Kennedy doll, and a reel of film of
the capsule-burying event (need I add that the committee wanted to play the
film at the capsule opening event, but the Chair of our Historic Commission
in the city was able to talk them out of that!). All items were supposedly
stored in glass containers - which may have broken by this point, I guess.
The chairperson of our Historic Commission informed me that after going on
exhibit at our City Hall, the materials will be donated to our Archives.
She has been to her share of capsule openings and says often the stuff
coming out of these is damp and mildewed. We will get a sneak preview of
the stuff in 2 weeks time, then as I understand the process, it will be
re-buried somehow so that it looks like it's being newly uncovered in 4
weeks time when the "public unveiling" occurs. All the kids at the school
will be in attendance, old alumnae are coming from around the country, and
a host of pols will be there as well. Does anyone out there have experience
with this kind of event? I'm hopeful that the items will be dry, and I
don't see much point in trying to flatten anything in a humidity chamber if
it's going to have to be re-rolled again for the staged opening, but I'm
concerned about what unexpected pitfalls might arise that I haven't
anticipated! Can anyone help? You can reply off list if you prefer. I
checked the list's archives but couldn't see anything there to help. Thanks
to all in advance.

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