On September 9, I was present during the unearthing of the 1972 Time Capsule, and stood by as all of the contents were revealed, but the article I published, much to the frustration of curious Orange residents, didn’t really reveal anything.
This was due to a promise I made in exchange for the honor of witnessing the events. I didn’t tell a soul about what I knew, making everyone wait until today, when they could witness it for themselves.
The contents of the Time Capsule were neatly laid out in the exhibit hall at the Orange Country Fair and drew a fairly steady crowd, I swear, the Bicentennial Committee could have sold tickets!.
The musty odor from water soaked papers still lingered as a reminder of the 1972 technology available to protect the precious contents, yet, not everything survived as some water did find its way into the burial vault and some of the carefully wrapped items helpless sat in about 3-inches of putrid water for who knows how long.
Children’s class papers from Race Brook School were on display, along with magazines and old news papers, such as at least one copy of everyone’s longtime favorite Our Town. An stamped envelope from the Orange Stamp Club and its President Mitchell Goldblatt, survived in excellent condition. A matchbox truck also had a prominent place on the table.
You also can see a booklet titled, “An introduction to Orange A lively and lovely town.” A commemorative tie from the sesquicentennial. Photographs, parade programs, letters to loved ones, church bulletins, a voting machine manual, sheet music, children’s artwork, a reel to reel recording tape from the third grade at Turkey Hill School, a book of poems from Race Brook fifth graders, photo slides, and so much more.
The ONE thing I question is a photocopy of a bio of John P Esposito, LT, USN, 27, who died in 1974 … Wait WHAT? how could THAT have been in the time capsule if it was buried in 1972? I was told that he was MIA in 1972, but the paper on display states he died on June 25, 1974. I will update this piece when I get a definitive answer.
Come to the Orange Country Fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow and see these long hidden treasures for yourself.
A 2022 Bicentennial Time Capsule WILL be buried in an undisclosed location this year, and the Bicentennial Committee already is accepting items to include for its unveiling in 2072, long after many of us are gone. Ask how you may participate, and don’t forget to buy a waterproof bag to protect your item(s) from the elements just in case.
