All of us rush through our daily lives with little thought of how we’ll be remembered decades in the future. However, when asked, most of us will say our families and the people in our families are the most cherished parts of our lives.
This is a special year for the James A. Garfield Historical Society and the Village of Garrettsville. In 1924, the Garrettsville Study Club, a civic organization had the foresight to put together a time capsule for the future Garrettsville community and install it next to the clocktower. On July 6th this year, we’ll be opening that time capsule from 100 years ago. What will we find? Hopefully, we’ll find what they considered will tell a story about our community in the 1920’s. There’s anticipation and excitement in the air as this date grows closer.
Tim Smith is the Project Director and he states, “The Historical Society has been working hard to make the event on July 6th of “Unveiling Our Roots” and the placing of our future time capsule in September memorable. We have planned family history stories to be streamed, character/actor walking tours and much more for the day of the ‘GRAND REVEAL.’ We are hoping you and your family will become involved by contributing your own story to the future time capsule as a legacy for your ancestors that will be here in 2104.
The Garrettsville Historical Society has decided after revealing the capsule, they will replace it with one that will tell our story of Garrettsville in 2024 and open another time capsule in 80 years. This will be the 300th anniversary of our community. Will your families still be living here? Who knows the answer to that question. Only time will tell.
The JAG Historical Society has decided to collect letters from community members and these will be selected for the future time capsule. Letters will also be maintained in the Society’s archives. The intention is to place letters in the future time capsule this coming September.
We are inviting community members to come by the Historical Society Building at the corner of High & Main Streets on Saturdays on the dates of April 6, April 20, May 4 & May 18 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm to write letters to the future residents of Garrettsville. While there will be writing prompts to get you going, you can write about anything that is near & dear to you & your family.
We are interested in stories such as best childhood memory or stories about how your family settled in this area if they have been here for generations. You could write about a cherished object that has been handed down throughout your family and the stories it tells about the person who acquired it and what it means. Share your memories of Garrettsville’s Main Street. What stores and shopkeepers do you remember in your lifetime? What stories can you share with us about your shopping experiences on Main Street and the changes in your lifetime?
There’s no need to make a reservation on a certain day. Make it a family outing. The Historical Society is providing the archival paper and writing instruments that will help make these letters lasting treasures.
You will be helping to preserve your place in Garrettsville in the future. We’ll see you there!
For more information about this project, contact: Debbie Smith at 330-389-1859. There will be updates on the Garfield Historical Facebook page.
