KERROBERT — It has been a year since the exciting opening of a time capsule at Kerrobert Courthouse and the 102-year-old contents continue to intrigue both locals and visitors.
“While I don’t have exact numbers of visitors since those time capsule items were placed on display, I can tell you that we have had many out-of-town visitors and local visitors through the winter who came in specifically to view the time capsule items,” says Recreation Director Bobbi Hebron.
Hebron says in 2022, they had 175 visitors for the time capsule event alone, and their Facebook page has increased from 308 likes in June of 2022 to 469 in June of this year.
The items carefully and meticulously removed from that time capsule are now displayed on the second floor of the museum in a glass cabinet.
Hebron recalls the emotions she, other town employees, the Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration committee and Kerrobert residents experienced with the initial discovery.
“There were people there whose family members had passed but worked in the courthouse for many years – Helen McGinnis. Helen always said there was a time capsule here but there was no evidence that anyone had to prove it. Helen would have loved the event.
“Breena Hebron, who opened the capsule, found her great-great-grandmother and grandfather’s names on the documents. Christina McCulloch, who was the deputy registrar, was working here in the building when the time capsule was placed. She was the first woman who worked in the courthouse but as per the times, she had to give up her job when she got married a few years later. And then here, 100 years later, two of her great-great-granddaughters are working here again,” adds Hebron.
Last year’s summer student, Breena Hebron, who played a significant role in the carefully scripted opening, unveiling and removal of contents said in a story following that event, “The time capsule has generated excitement in our community, around our province, and beyond. We have already had a significant increase in tourists and locals stopping by to see the message from our past.
“Even if none of the artifacts would have survived the 102-year wait, the laying of this time capsule would have still sent a message. It tells us that they were hoping and planning for our future, just as we should be today. I hope that this event has inspired others to take pride in their community and to continue the hard work of those who came before us.”
The new time capsule is in limbo as the stair restoration project is not yet finished.
