Stone County Opens Time Capsule to Celebrate Courthouse 100th Anniversary
Galena, MO--The Stone County Commissioners and Stone County Historical Society celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Stone County Courthouse on Saturday, September 26 at noon. Stone County community members are invited to see the opening of a time capsule and participate in burying a new time capsule at the events planned for the celebration at the Courthouse on the square in Galena.
“One hundred years old and still beautiful!” said Julie Green, President of the Stone County Historical and Genealogical Society (SCHGS). “The Stone County Commissioners, Stone County Historical Society, and the Galena Stretch Class invite everyone to see the time capsule “reveal” and learn about the courthouse.”
According to Green, about four years ago, students who participated in the STRETCH accelerated learning program at Galena-Abesville Elementary school studied the history of Stone County and discovered that in 2020 the courthouse would be 100 years old. They researched the dedication in 1920, found newspaper articles about that day, and wanted to do something special to celebrate. “Not only that, but they were anxious to see what had been put in the time capsule that was sealed in the cornerstone of the building, so they contacted the SCHGS and the Commissioners and enlisted their help in having this celebration,” Green added. Over the years, each class has added to the project.
The Historical Society (SCHGS) and Commissioners were on board, so a date was set for March 27, 2020. Due to the pandemic, this event was postponed until September 26. “Since we are able to hold events outside as long as we social distance and use CDC precautions, we are going ahead with this event,” Green said. Green noted that it took four hours to dig up the time capsule for the anniversary.
The time capsule was originally buried by county commissioners on March 26, 1920, and as part of the 100th Anniversary celebration, the students wanted to bury another time capsule. According to Green, the students decided what to put it the capsule including writing about what life at school is like in 2020. “The historical society is deciding what to put in the capsule and asking the health department to write about COVID-19, and commissioners to write about their business,” Green said.
At noon on September 26, the courthouse will be opened for tours. Green added that information about the outstanding people of the past will be available for viewing, exhibits of other artifacts and historical memorabilia will be for sale. At 1 p.m., the ceremony will begin with the "reveal" of what is found in the time capsule. New items will be displayed and placed in the time capsule, sealed and hidden back into the cornerstone.
“Come and be a part of the 100-year celebration of the Stone County Courthouse on September 26 at noon, and see exhibits and the 1 p.m. reveal,” Green added.
Other activities include live music; the Flying Buzzards will play bluegrass before the event. To raise money for the historical museum, SCHGS will be selling history books, cups, and T-shirts.
