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Sesqui Time Capsule: what’s in the box? As the official opening of the St. Johns Sesquicentennial draws near – April 30 is just around the corner – we’ve been giving much thought to what objects should be placed into the Sesqui Time Capsule. Items like the Sesqui Calendar, booklet from the Historic Photo Exhibit and the Sesqui Flag are no-brainers – they’re obvious choices. We’re interested in "stuff" that is less ordinary, or that may seem unusual years from now when the capsule is opened – in 150 years. Maybe a bottle of Aspirin. Odds are, no one will be using that old ‘miracle drug’ so far in the future. We could throw in some cold, hard cash – that might be unique. Or even some plastic money – who knows what sort of currency will be exchanged in 150 years? Thoughts of what should go into the capsule this time around prompted questions about what is in the Centennial Time Capsule that was interred July 18, 1956 on the occasion of the city’s 100th birthday. Mayor Charles Coletta presided over that ceremony on the lawn of the Clinton County Courthouse, helping to plant the Centennial Pine at the same time. The tree is gone – and so is the courthouse – but the time capsule is housed safely away, waiting for its big opening date in 2056. Whoever opens it up, 50 years from now, will find the following contents – all in pristine condition, we hope: Copy of the Centennial issue of the Clinton County Republican-News Copy of St. Johns School Supt. Earl Lancaster’s 1956 report to the Board of Education Maps of the city, Clinton County and state A local telephone directory Copy of the 1956-57 city budget Statements of the St. Johns National Bank and State Bank of St. Johns as of June 30 Bylaws of the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce A Consumers Power company report on electrical and gas use Directory of the county, city and townships 1956 tax equalization report for the county Several mint blocks of U.S. postage stamps donated by J.E. Rasdale It’s an interesting list – wonder if the stamps were two-cents, and what the electric and gas use was back in 1956. Times have certainly changed in regard to both of those items in just 50 years, never mind 100. Who would have thought back in 1956 that postage stamps today would cost 39 cents – impossible. With that in mind, we’re open to your suggestions for items – unique and ordinary – that should be placed into the Sesqui Time Capsule. Send an email and give us your list. Even if the suggestions aren’t deemed to be "capsule worthy," they’ll be part of history when they’re published here. At least for one issue.
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