1969 time capsule unearthed at Madison elementary

Jamie Golliver, Principal at Madison Elementary School, welcomed current and former school officials and students, city leaders and residents at the unearthing of the 50-year time capsule. CONTRIBUTED

Madison Mayor Paul Finley, MCS superintendent Robby Parker, Madison Jr. High's principal from 1969 W.R. Foutch, and Madison Elementary principal Jamie Golliver dug up the time capsule Tuesday before a large crowd. CONTRIBUTED

MCS superintendent spoke briefly before unearthing the time capsule. CONTRIBUTED

A crew had to use machinery after the ceremony to lift the time capsule, which weighs between 800 to 1,000 pounds. The contents will be received at a special reception Sunday at Madison Elementary. CONTRIBUTED

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Fifty years ago to the day, a time capsule was buried on Oct. 22, 1969 at a marker at Madison Junior High School (now Madison elementary). The capsule’s directive stated to open it 50 years later as part of Madison’s sesquicentennial. 1969 marked the centennial anniversary for the City of Madison and the sesquicentennial for the State of Alabama.

The capsule’s plaque reads: “This time capsule presented by the people of Madison 1969 to the people of Madison in the year 2019. (Bronze by Huntsville Memory Gardens).”

Jamie Golliver, current principal at Madison Elementary School, welcomed guests to the unearthing. “Fifty years ago today on Oct. 22, 1969, city leaders and school officials buried a time capsule containing items and artifacts of that time period as a gift to the future,” Golliver said.

Reclaiming the capsule was not a simple job. Officials brought a tractor to dig up the container. However, recent rains had muddied the area around the capsule, so guests at the unearthing used shovels to dig dirt and reach the capsule.

W.R. Foutch, Principal at Madison Junior High from 1964-1969, returned to campus to shovel dirt from the capsule. Golliver, MCS Superintendent Robert V. Parker and Mayor Paul Finley also shoveled.

The capsule itself weighs 800 to 1,000 pounds. It was buried six feet underground and measures five feet in length and two feet wide.

A school-based committee has helped with capsule plans. That committee includes Golliver, MES Assistant Principal Demetria Freeman, Nikki Griffin, Stephanie Cook, Beth Woodard, Cherry Shickle, school historian Cindi Sanderson and Plant Manager David Gray.

Golliver thanked groups that help in maintaining the city heritage, including the City of Madison Historical Preservation Commission, Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, Madison City Council, Mayor Paul Finley, Madison Board of Education, MCS Central Office, MCS Coordinator of Operations Michael Gunner, Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell and Parker.

Following the excavation on Oct. 22, school leaders will move the time capsule inside the school for opening on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. Enclosed artifacts inside will be displayed for guests to view.

Contents of the capsule include everyday items and artifacts that reflect the era. The capsule contains photographs, toys, books, magazines, words and music to popular songs, record albums, clothing, City of Madison map, Sears catalog, church membership rolls and other memorabilia. Many businesses donated items for the capsule, Sanderson said.

Organizers will host a reception following the capsule’s unveiling.

The unveiling on Oct. 27 will be livestreamed on Madison Elementary School’s page on Facebook.