The items found within the time capsule from 1976 are now displayed at the Chicopee Public Library.
Photo credit: Chicopee Public Library
CHICOPEE — On Oct. 2, Mayor John Vieau, members of the City Council and others from the community joined at City Hall to witness the opening of the 1976 Bicentennial time capsule.
In celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Chicopee opened a long-forgotten time capsule that was placed under a sun dial between City Hall and the old library during the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.
The time capsule was intended to be opened in 2000 but was forgotten until recently brought to the city’s attention by a resident.
Vieau joked that Y2K scared everyone and the event never happened and said, “Fast forward to today and talking with members of the class of 1976, we felt that instead of waiting for the 250th anniversary, time is of the essence, we live in the moment and let’s open it.”
There was a bicentennial commission created in 1976 that hosted multiple events and the event featured the raising of bicentennial flag which was provided by the president of the 1976 class at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
Members from the class of 1976 from Chicopee Comprehensive High School helped raised the commemorative flag.
Items unveiled in the time capsule included newspapers, letters from residents and former city employees, bicentennial memorabilia, a model of the golf ball sent to the moon, three ledgers of signatures from local students and teachers and a sculpted kielbasa.
The golf ball is from 1976 and Vieau said represents a certain era in Chicopee where Spalding Top-Flite, now Callaway Golf, was the company name in Chicopee where so many worked and continue to work at.
The time capsule items are displayed at the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St for anyone in the public to view.
After the display period, the city will prepare to reseal the capsule along with new items commemorating the 250th anniversary, to be opened during the 300th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2076.
Vieau talked about the historic opening.
He said, “This is an exciting opportunity for the city of Chicopee to reconnect with its past and honor the craftsmanship of the Chicopee Comp vocational students who built the time capsule. We’re also looking forward to contributing to the legacy of future generations with items for the 250th anniversary. This moment is a powerful reminder of the community spirit that has always been a part of Chicopee’s history and future.”
He also further talked about the importance of opening up this capsule from a different time period.
Vieau said, “There’s some really cool things from 1976 in there that we want to share with everybody, the general public and frankly the rest of this country because I think it’s exciting to really celebrate that era from 1976 as we prepare to fill it back up after we’re done and not have it opened until the year 2076.”
