INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Saturday Jackson County leaders sealed a 675 pound time capsule. Everything from memorabilia to technology and historical artifacts can be found locked inside. It won’t be opened for another eight decades!
It was September 7th, 1933 when the Jackson County historic Truman Courthouse opened in Independence Square. 80 years later, recently renovated, it’s still standing.
“September 7th, 2013 we reopened the courthouse exactly 80 years to the minute when Harry Truman originally opened the courthouse,” said Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders.
Independence is marking and celebrating the milestone with the time capsule. “This time capsule I think it just really captures all that, captures the history, captures Harry Truman’s tradition and what he really means to this entire community,” said Sanders.
What’s inside? An iPad, cell phone, portable DVD player, reams of city documents and Kansas City sports memorabilia.
“We have a signed ball by the 2013 Chiefs, the 2013 Royals as well as the Major League Champion 2013 Sporting Kansas City,” said Sanders.
The time capsule also includes a Twinkie and letters from Ike Skelton and Harry Truman talking about Truman’s 1952 decision to not run.
10-year-old Haden Long will be 90 years old when the time capsule is reopened in 2093.
“My grandkids can see my poem and I get to tell them that I won this poem contest,” said the fourth grader who won a countywide poem competition.
Long’s words are now sealed inside along with a year of memories for generations to come.
The time capsule is scheduled to be reopened on September 7th, 2093.