‘A promise between generations’: West Newton opens 1976 time capsule on nation’s 250th birthday

The borough will bury its next time capsule this fall, to be opened in 2076.

By QUINCEY CATULLO TribLive

Paul Williams was just 7 years old in 1976 when he and nine of his neighbors stood in front of a crowd in the West Newton Cemetery Grove and received their duty to steward the opening of a community time capsule in 2026.

The capsule, buried in the cemetery along Vernon Drive, contained about 267 items — including books, photographs and letters left by residents for their children and grandchildren to open 50 years later.

“It’s hard to believe it’s already been 50 years,” Williams said, addressing the hundreds of residents who gathered in the same cemetery to celebrate the time capsule’s opening Saturday, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday.

As the 1976 time capsule committee received applause for their efforts, 18 children and young adults came up and stood before them, promising to take similar care of the community’s next time capsule — to be opened in 2076.

Among them are two of Williams’ triplet sons — Christian and Mark Williams, both 21.

“It’s overwhelming in a sentimental sense,” Paul Williams said, looking over at his sons as they carefully pulled items from the stone time capsule box, peeling away layers of mud-covered plastic wrap. “But it’s very satisfying to know that tradition is going to continue.”

Christian Williams felt a responsibility to carry on his father’s legacy.

“I was really enticed by the ‘you don’t have to do anything for 50 years,’” he joked.

“It’s definitely an interesting feeling. A little bit of dread to see what goes into the next one,” he said. “But mainly excitement. I can’t wait to see what (my dad) got from his parents, and I can’t wait to see what me and my brother will be putting in there for whoever’s next.”

Mayor: A promise between generations

George Thuransky, the only living member of West Newton’s 1976 borough council, was heartened by the youth’s interest in continuing the time capsule tradition.

Thuransky served on council from 1974 to 1985 and as mayor from 1985 to 1997. He recalled a time when the Lions and Rotary clubs were filled to the brim and the West Newton Volunteer Fire Company had a waiting list for new firefighters.

“That is volunteerism that we lack somewhat today,” he said. “But again, when I look around and see what’s happened here; I know that there are a lot of folks who care about the community that they live in.”

The time capsule tradition is a “promise between generations,” said Mayor Mary Popovich.

“The opening of the 1976 time capsule reminds us that a community’s greatest legacy is found not only in its buildings, records and keepsakes, but in the people who preserve its stories, strengthen its traditions and teach its children to value where they come from.”

The 2026 time capsule will be buried in the fall in the vault of a chapel in the West Newton Cemetery.

Items for the time capsule will be accepted until Sept. 12.

Items must be submitted along with a completed form and a $1 filing fee.

For more information, visit mywestnewton.com/ time-capsule-info.