Bucyrus time capsule will be reburied on July 22: What should historical society include?

The Bucyrus Historical Society has a question for local residents: What would you put in a time capsule that will be opened 50 years from now?

"We'll seriously consider all ideas," said Randy Fischer, one of the society's trustees and its events and display chairman.

The trustees need to know soon, because the time capsule in question will be buried at 2 p.m. July 22 as part of the Bucyrus Historical Society's annual Historical Day at the Scroggs House Museum, 202 S. Walnut St.

"When the historical society first got started in 1971, they buried the time capsule as part of the sesquicentennial activities, to be opened during the bicentennial — which it was," Fischer explained. "And now we're getting ready to rebury it with new, updated items to be opened in 2073."

In preparation, the historical society is seeking suggestions for what to include in the capsule. It's not a large capsule, so smaller items, such as letters or photos, would be ideal, he said. People with suggestions should call the historical society, 419-562-6386; or email curator@bucyrushistoricalsociety.org.

When the original time capsule was opened two years ago, it included a letter written by a local woman when she was a teenager, Fischer said: "She predicted who she was going to marry and that she was gonna have children —and it came true."

The woman was there to see the time capsule opened.

"So that's the neat stuff, I think," Fischer said. "You know, we're going to have some businesses and service organizations donate some stuff, but the really interesting stuff is some of the personal stuff that carries more weight, I think."

The reburying of the time capsule will be one highlight in a list of activities planned for Historical Day, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22. This year's event will be "a little bit special," Fischer said.

The Scroggs House Museum will feature three special displays.

One honors 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin, a Bucyrus native who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II, he said. In late 2021, Martin's family donated Martin's memorabilia and artifacts to the historical society. The exhibit was introduced as part of a special Veterans Day observance last fall.

A second exhibit features memorabilia related to aviation pioneer Lauretta Schimmoler, "who started her illustrious career here in Bucyrus by being the first female manager of an airport in the country," Fischer said.

Later, she was the first secretary of the International Organization of Women Pilots, known as The Ninety-Nines, and was good friends with fellow aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, according to previous T-F reports. She had the idea to train nurses to fly into sites hit by disaster and established the Aerial Nurse Corps, which became the precursor of flight nurses. That led to her appearance in the movie "Parachute Nurse" in the role of Capt. Jane Morgan.

The display includes the contract Schimmoler signed with Columbia Pictures to serve as consultant for the movie, Fischer said, "and then other documents that chronicle her incredible life."

A third exhibit, on the history of the Bratwurst Festival, will be on display through the rest of the year, Fischer said.

Event will include antique appraisals

"The other thing we're going to do this year is have a Bucyrus Antiques Roadshow event, where we have two pretty experienced antiques dealers — I would call them experts," Fischer said. Starting at noon, Mike Zahn and Lyle Gephardt will appraise items brought to the event.

"We've done that in the past, but it's been a number of years since we've done it the last time. So we're hoping we get a number of folks that have collected stuff that would like to know what they're worth," Fischer said.

"It's going to be fun day," he said. "We're going to have food there and other people having displays of historical items and you can buy the Jim Croneis "Down to Earth" books there."

The historical society has been in a time of transition, with the addition of new board members, Fischer said.

"We're really trying to get the historical society a more active and more vibrant organization. ... We just had a pretty successful cemetery walk over over the weekend and so people should look forward to more of that," he said.

ggoble@gannett.com

419-559-7263

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: For Historical Day, Bucyrus Historical Society to rebury time capsule