HAGERSTOWN, Md. — On July 7, 1976, the Community Action Youth Services of Hagerstown presented the city and the people of Washington County with a time capsule. For the last 50 years, the rolled steel capsule sat on the grounds of Kaylor Garden at the Washington County Fine Arts Museum inside City Park. The placard of the time capsule, by Cedar Lawn Memorial park, reads, “To be opened by the people of this area on July 7th, 2026.”
Together, the Fine Arts Museum, Hagerstown Parks and Recreation, the Hagerstown Youth Council and the City of Hagerstown, opened the capsule accordingly for a larger-than-expected crowd inside the Atrium of the Fine Arts Museum on July 7, as instructed 50 years ago.
And, inside, under newspaper crumpled to protect contents, viewers saw vinyl records, clothing, soft drinks, newspapers and other artifacts.
Amy Riley and Kay Osmer of Hagerstown Parks and Recreation pulled items from the capsule showing them to the crowd before placing them on a table for viewing.
In attendance were Mayor Bill McIntire, County Commissioner Jeff Cline and several individuals who contributed to the time capsule in some way. The items left inside held sentimental value for many in the crowd, such as Ann Kitchen Mohler, a member of Hagerstown’s 1976 Community Action Youth Council, and Art Morris, who rolled the steel for the capsule.
The lid of the time capsule was removed to reveal writing inside the lid, “Hi Folks” signed by Bill Diffenderfer and Roy Polle of Jamison Doors. Just on top inside the capsule lay a note reading, “April Fools!”, sparking laughter among the crowd as it likely was intended to do.
Just beneath that, layers of shredded newspaper, protecting the contents. City officials also revealed during the opening that the capsule was opened prior to the event to ensure its contents were in good condition.
Also at the top of the capsule, the opening showed a letter from the 1976 Youth Services Council of Washington County thanking the many contributors to the capsule. Signed June 29, 1976, the letter closes saying, “Many thanks are given to the people of Hagerstown and Washington County for their cooperation in this project.”
After pulling out the crumbled up paper, the first items pulled from the capsule were American and Maryland flags, followed by a map of Hagerstown donated by City Hall. The capsule being larger than it looks held several items ranging from records, books, and images, to clothing, soda and a basketball. The removal of items took nearly an hour with items from local schools, businesses, organizations and families. The final items pulled from the very bottom included strawberry shampoo and a pack of cigarettes. Other items included newspapers, shoes, high school course books, magazines, family photos, concert tickets, brand new Wrangler jeans, and a few t-shirts.
Contributors to the capsule included local schools such as Williamsport, South Hagerstown and North Hagerstown High Schools, Jamison Doors, WHAG Radio, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Valley Mall.
Concluding the event, guests socialized and viewed the items from the capsule as they were neatly displayed on tables. Owners of the items are able to collect them from Hagerstown Parks and Recreation by contacting Kay Osmer at [email protected].
A full list of items found inside the time capsule can be found on Hagerstown Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page at, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0MLWBFrh19EvjcUTvW8nNsHBJB3VhMtJ2N9jV3rSaCSrGd87tSwiQ69BPiEtj8Pm5l&id=100064599403552.
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