Time capsule to preserve the thoughts of Brooke County residents

WELLSBURG - As the nation continues to observe a milestone anniversary, one local project is making sure the voices and memories of today’s residents are remembered.

The Brooke County Public Library and the National American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum and Education Center are organizing a time capsule themed around Brooke County in 2026.

In an email to supporters, Brooke County Library Director Alexandra L. Schneider explained she and Jim Brockman, the ABDC Museum’s executive director, are collecting materials to be included in the time capsule, with a particular focus on the voices of the community.

Submitted materials will be digitized and loaded onto a flash drive.

"We are looking for community members to submit letters for our digital time capsule," said Schneider. "Due to the size of this capsule, it did not allow for many things to be installed in it, which is why we turned to the digital realm."

Contributions can be on any topic residents would like to share, whether a letter to a loved one, a family story, the history of a local veteran, a special memory, well wishes for a friend or more.

The capsule is scheduled to be buried at the library on Nov. 11 as part of local Veterans Day observances, with plans to dig it up in 25 years.

County commissioners, noting the time capsule project during their Aug. 11 meeting, explained it was given to the county by the state.

"This is from the Governor’s Office," reported Commissioner Christina White.

Commission President Tom Diserio said the time capsule was provided as part of West Virginia’s observances of the United States’ semiquincentennial, celebrating 250 years since the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.

Physical letters must be turned in at the library, 945 Main St., Wellsburg, by 5 p.m. Oct. 23 to be included in the time capsule. Submissions already digitized can be sent by email -- either included in the body of the email or as an attachment -- by 9 a.m. Nov. 7 to bcpl@wvlc.lib.wv.us.

It is the latest program in the state as part of the America 250 program, which included the development of a mural through the efforts of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau and support from county commissioners. The mural is located along Charles Street.