Time Capsule Buried 50 Years Ago Unearthed
Time Capsule Buried 50 Years Ago Unearthed
On August 4, 2026, a time capsule buried 50 years ago in Bagley as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration was unearthed.
The capsule had been scheduled for excavation on that date, with plans to unseal it and reveal its contents on Wednesday, August 5—the opening day of the Clearwater County Fair—at the Clearwater County History Center Cabin on the fairgrounds.
At 10 a.m., several volunteers armed with shovels began digging at the site, located one block south of the traffic light in the area where the Bagley Farmers Market is held each summer.
The group carefully cleared away dirt surrounding the site until the edges of a concrete slab were exposed on all sides. As work continued, anticipation grew among those gathered.
During the excavation, Tamara Edevold, executive director of the Clearwater County Historical Society for 40 years, reflected on the significance of the day. She was 16 years old when the capsule was buried in 1976, while most of the men helping with the excavation had also been teenagers at the time. One of the volunteers, however, had not yet been born.
Edevold said no one knew exactly what the time capsule looked like, how large it was, how well it had been sealed or even what it contained. The many unknowns only added to the mystery surrounding the excavation.
She also expressed hope that the capsule had remained watertight and that moisture had not penetrated its protective wrapping or the capsule itself.
Workers first attempted to remove the concrete slab by hand, but despite additional digging, it quickly became apparent that heavier equipment would be needed. An excavator was called in.
The concrete slab, estimated to be about eight inches thick, was lifted with ease. As it was turned over, tar dripping from one corner suggested that tar paper had been used as part of the protective covering. Additional digging and scraping around the opening soon revealed multiple layers of tar paper covering a box-like structure that housed the time capsule.
Unfortunately, those early concerns proved justified.
Once the protective box was opened, water was found inside. The plastic wrapping surrounding the capsule was badly deteriorated. After the damaged wrapping was removed, a red metal box was revealed. Its lid was carefully lifted, confirming that water had made its way inside.
The contents had suffered significant water damage. Items on top were little more than soaked papers, making them difficult to identify. After the initial disappointment, discussion quickly turned to how the remaining contents might best be preserved.
After several days to assess what remained and consider how to proceed, Edevold said that while the loss was disappointing, it also underscored the importance of the Historical Society’s existing collection.
“It reminds us that the collection at the museum is even more critical,” she said.
“Many of the items that we could see and identify are things that we already have in the collection. So there’s some comfort in that. We will try to save the personal letters and notes and make copies if at all possible.”
The experience is also helping shape plans for the next time capsule, intended for 2076.
Rather than focusing on what went wrong 50 years ago, Edevold said what was learned from the failed capsule can now help protect what is preserved for the future.
The Historical Society has obtained a container that will be sealed to protect its contents from water and other possible damage. This time, however, the capsule will not be buried. Instead, it will be placed in a safe location within the museum’s collection.
Items may be donated for inclusion in the 2076 time capsule through the end of this year, when the container will be sealed.
The History Center also offers a free children’s time capsule for young visitors. Edevold said the activity is intended to encourage families to think about what they might save today for those who come after them.
The Clearwater County History Center is another beautiful example of “community” deeply rooted in tradition, assuring the next generation there will be something to look back on.
The Clearwater County History Center, located in Shevlin, is open year-round Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From June through September, Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday hours end August 29 albeit the occasional special events. During the Festival of Trees there are special hours and they will be posted.