Terry Crabb, a former student at Vernon’s Northeast School, had waited 50 years for the moment when the school would unearth a time capsule buried in 1976. The capsule, a massive cement sarcophagus, contained letters, drawings, and other artifacts that captured life in Vernon during the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

A Treasure Hunt

The school’s new principal, Melissa Ross, led the effort to find the time capsule, which had been lost to institutional memory. With the help of a handful of former students, including Crabb, Ross and her team searched through the school’s records and eventually found a clue that led them to the capsule’s location.

The capsule was unearthed on June 15, exactly 50 years and one day after it was buried. The school held an open house to display the artifacts, which included handwritten essays from students and teachers, drawings, and other historical odds and ends.

Former students, including Crabb, reflected on the changes that have taken place in Vernon over the past 50 years. Crabb noted that childhood itself has changed, with kids today spending more time on electronic devices and less time playing outside.

Current students, including fourth graders Amaan Ghotra and Zachery Anderson, were fascinated by the artifacts and hoped to participate in a new time capsule project in the fall.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.