Back in November of 1998, the year West Easton celebrated its centennial, that year’s Council decided to bury a “Time Capsule.” They put an opening time of 25 years on it. That year is now upon us – 2023.
The “Time Capsule” was a donated coffin. Beside the fact that burying a time capsule in the ground isn’t recommended, a coffin is one of the worst type of containers to use as a time capsule. They aren’t waterproof, or airtight. They are subject to changes in humidity and temperature combinations that will damage objects not properly stored within it.
The pictures taken at the time appear to show a coffin using a cement lid. The coffin was not buried below the frost line, meaning it has been subjected to freezing and thawing, possibly cracking the cement lid, which may have allowed water to enter it during rains, or snow thaws over the years.
As could be expected, there was apparently little effort made to ensure items put into the coffin were prepared properly, as described in this document on how items should be preserved.
Also, witness accounts state that nothing of meaningful historical value, or of real public interest was placed in the coffin. Newspaper, photos, a proclamation of some sort, and name plaques of those serving on Council in 1998 were among items thrown into the coffin.
The contents could, by now, be wet and rotted. Even if they aren’t, all of it is still not worth the cost of recovery. The span of 25 years isn’t a long period of time for a community time capsule. Most communities will set 100 years for a time capsule opening.
At this month’s Council Meeting, a vote was taken regarding the “Time Capsule.”
The creation of a resolution that will keep the coffin buried was approved by Council. The resolution will be presented at the April Council meeting for a vote. However, the 2023 Council will leave it to any future Council to exhume the coffin and approve the use of taxpayer money to complete the task, if any should desire.
This year’s Council isn’t interested in spending money on digging it up. I doubt any in the near future will be.
Perhaps, it will be opened in 2098. Maybe those celebrating the Bi-centennial will be interested.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
