‘Connecting generations’
Claysville Elementary opens time capsule from 50 years ago
On May 21, 1976, students and staff at Claysville Elementary School buried a time capsule during America’s bicentennial celebration, with instructions for the capsule to be unearthed 50 years later.
On Thursday, a different group of Claysville students, along with some former teachers, gathered to open the time capsule that was buried a half-century ago.
Inside were several preserved pieces of life from the 1970s, including a letter from President Gerald R. Ford, old newspapers, magazines, photographs, stamps, handwritten notes, school-related items, and small keepsakes that offered a glimpse into what life looked like then.
Among those who attended was Mary Drost Main, a teacher at Claysville Elementary School who retired in 2012 and was present for the time capsule burial. It was Main’s mother, Marjorie Drost, a longtime third-grade teacher at the elementary school, who led the time capsule project.
“I’m especially honored to represent my mother,” said Main. “My mother truly loved this school and she cared deeply for her students. She would have been thrilled to open this capsule today and revisit these treasures, and share them with the students who helped create them.”
Main noted that while the time capsule had been unopened in 50 years, it had been relocated from the original Claysville Elementary school to the current elementary building, which was built in 1993.
Two students who were third-graders during the initial time capsule burial in 1976 returned in 1993 to re-bury it.
The time capsule celebration served as both a history lesson and a community moment, with the school’s 500 students, faculty, staff, and former teachers wearing red T-shirts bearing the message, “Connecting Generations.”
The metal time capsule, which was buried about three feet deep, had rusted, but the contents inside – tightly wrapped in plastic – withstood the half-century underground.
Assistant Principal Adrienne Day said she was fascinated by two cassette tapes that captured student and teacher interviews – and said with a laugh that the staff was “figuring out how to get them to play.”
“And the letter from President Ford was a neat piece of history,” she said. “It was also neat to see the photos of the teachers who were there at that time, and pictures of the kids who were students back then and are now teachers here. There is something special about this school district and the pride that people have in their history and their stories.”
Also in attendance was retired fourth-grade teacher Jane Noble, who taught at Claysville Elementary School for 35 years and helped plan the time capsule project.
“Here we are, 50 years later. In addition to celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday, we’re excited to be opening this treasure chest, filled with messages from kids who lived right here in Claysville, but in a world very different from the world of 2026,” said Noble. “They did not know what the world would look like in 2026 – nobody knew about video calls, electric cars, or those computers that fit in your pocket – but they did know that there were certain things that they wanted to be placed in the time capsule that would tell their story the best.”
The opening of the time capsule was a morning-long celebration, with the McGuffey High School Band performing, and other activities.
The contents of the time capsule were on display Thursday evening at a public viewing at Claysville Fire Hall hosted by the McGuffey Alumni Association.
This generation of Claysville Elementary School students also will bury a time capsule, which will be opened in 2076. Among the items to be included: Pokemon cards, samples of cursive handwriting, and a collection of pennies for each year from 1976 to 2025.
Said Main, “I believe my mom’s greatest wish would be for this tradition to continue for future teachers, students and members of the community to enjoy for generations to come.”