Brooke County preserves memories with time capsule burial
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WELLSBURG - The Brooke County Public Library is more than a depository of books. It also strives to preserve history.
Wednesday afternoon, as residents observed Veterans Day through a variety of services and other events, the library added to its collection of artifacts.
Area residents, gathered at the library to officially dedicate a time capsule, which then was buried in the front yard of the library along Wellsburg’s Main Street.
"This came from the Governor’s Office," said Brooke County Commissioner Christina White, explaining it originally was supposed to be used as part of local observances of the nation’s semiquincentennial.
According to Library Director Alexandra Schneider, the time capsule includes a flash drive, upon which are saved digitized copies of letters from residents, the stories of local veterans, a member list provided by the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce, names of public officials and various other mementos to help preserve aspects of the Brooke County community.
The time capsule will remain buried at the location until Nov. 11, 2051, according to local organizers of the project.
"It will be opened in 25 years," explained Jim Brockman, director of the National American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum located within the library.
Brockman noted there are a few physical items from the museum included in the time capsule in addition to the digital files.
A plaque is set to be installed to mark the exact location of the time capsule.
The time capsule burial was part of an Operation Gratitude to Vets program, held through the efforts of the Brooke County Public Library, the ADBC Musem and the Wellsburg Post Office.
The program included the presentation of new collections for the museum.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)