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Century Opens Millennium Time Capsule. Here’s What They Found.
January 3, 2025
The Town of Century opened a millennium time capsule Friday afternoon finding a lot of wet items and a few notable glimpses at local history.
The time capsule was buried in front of the town hall on January 1, 2000, and set for opening in January 2025. Over the past 25 years, water filled the concrete vault. Murky, dirty, stinky water also infiltrated the plastic bags and other containers inside. Most of the newspapers and other paper items were mush. Many photos had been printed on inkjet printers of the day, and the photos had washed away.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Several people present on Friday discovered items that they had placed in the capsule, or items from now-deceased relatives. A form created by the town back in 2000 asked residents to write down what was in each bag, along with their contact information and heirs with the apparent intent of returning the items in 2025. It should be noted that the form also asked for social security numbers because times were different in 2000, potentially exposing names, addresses and social security numbers of current local residents.
Some residents took family items home, and the Alger Sullivan Historical Society took the rest of the items to dry out what they can and document.
And, in a bit of a surprise, the lid covering the vault was signed by numerous people, most if not all of were high school students (it’s pictured in the gallery).
Coming up by Monday on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a look at some of the treasures from the capsule and hear a unique local history story.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “Century Opens Millennium Time Capsule. Here’s What They Found.”
Wasn’t sure I’d be around whe the capsule was opened but it was nice to see my county commissioners card survived
I would been at the opening ceremony but I was out of town
Enjoyed reading about it in the news
Maybe someone can use a PVC pipe and cap it off at both ends..nothing will get in if it’s sealed correctly..this is awesome..
It’s pretty cool. The folks back then acknowledged the town not only celebrated the Centennial of the founding of Century, approx 1901 to Y2K but tied it into the 1000 year celebration of time marching on. The marking of the. Cenenial aligns with the turning of the 1000 year mark in time. My grandparents assumed ownership of the old Hart Hardware at the state line, and I now live in the old family home built in 1938 at Stateline. From my front window, I saw them building the overpass. I lived all over the world, but now I’m back home, watching folks celebrate being here at the Welcome to the Free State of Florida. I wonder if Gradmother added anything to the time capsule?The history of this town is precious and still lives on in the present day. I love it here.
Nice Article.
I have a sweet magnolia tree that predates the establishment of the settlement of the town in my lovely yard in the town limits. It’s a special and sacred spot in this big wide world. I’ve seen some awesome historical photos of the exact location being admired on other pages.
The train whistle still blows. It’s magical.
I was expecting to see a bunch of unpaid bills from the town
Is the “driskolls” store the century quick stop or was that another location? So neat to see history of our lil town! It’s a shame that a lot of things were washed away though
Ancient folks probably would have used wax on ceramic jars. A little reading of books or higher paid teachers? Now think how best to spend Century’s budget. Embarrassing, but enlightening.
Coffee cans, pickle buckets, jars…..I can name quite a few things that would’ve sufficed.
What fun! It was awesome to see some of the artifacts removed by the people who put them in the vault!
@JustMe concrete is porous. Water will always infiltrate in over time. I don’t think this one would’ve had the actual burial vault seal because those are *not* easy to open back up.
I do wonder who decided to not use some sort of waterproof lining, though. Ziploc bags are not 100% impermeable.
I wonder what people from 2000 would think of the state of things today across the board (not just focused on one aspect). I want to go back to living like things were back then that’s for sure.
Why am I shocked that Century couldn’t even to a time capsule correctly? Wow.
Great to hear some Good News coming from the Town of Century!! There are a lot of Good things going on in Century, you just have to be willing to look for them!
I guess Flex Seal wasn’t around yet. Who would have thought porous concrete wouldn’t keep the water out.
I wonder which Burial Vault company installed this? Remind me to not use them for my loved ones.
Maybe they should put a capsule for 2026 generation now, that we are in 2025? (1) Chances are it will survive (2) They can put a cheerleading message in it.
Very nice to hear some “good” news out of Century
It was not a sealed vault?