Documentation on the opening of a time capsule found buried on the Base Campus of the COATC  

August 11, 2004
Time Capsule Made Permanent Loan to The Works
It's confirmed. The Bicentennial time capsule is now slated to be made a permanent loan to The Works in Newark. The Port Authority agreed to the arrangement, which The Works accepted today, where the entire contents of the time capsule will become part of the extension collection of Newark and Licking County history retained by The Works.

The Port Authority-hosted open house attracted a wide variety of former Newark AFB personnel and family. Newark Council President Marc Guthrie viewed the aluminum capsule which his late father, Jim Guthrie, made. One group of visitors included the grandchildren of one of the Bicentennial Committee members. Their late grandfather, Jim Miller, was a very active part of the capsule and the display gave them a strong link to their family's past.

Special thanks to NARFE members Sandy Jackson, Sandy Gartner, Bill Cisco, Clarence Santos, and John West who volunteered and helped with the open house.

July 16, 2004
Time Capsule Open House Announced
The Newark Air Force Base's Bicentennial time capsule, opened 22 years early to make way for a new roadway in the west side parking lot, will be on display at the offices of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority on the Base campus of the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center in Heath.

When: August 2 to August 6, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day
Where: Port Authority offices, 851 Irving-Wick Drive West, Heath

The time capsule entire contents will be on display.

Info:

  • Informational Flyer
  • Site Map - Showing Port Authority Offices


    June 23, 2004
    Time Capsule Opened
    The Bicentennial time capsule was opened and the contents displayed to a total crowd throughout the day estimated at over 400. Here are a few of the photos from the day:

    Vault Removed

    The concrete vault was unearthed on Monday, June 21st from the site of the new parking lot    		 Opening Vault

    Wednesday, June 23rd the vault was opened and the aluminum capsule revealed    		 Capsule Open

    The aluminum capsule was opened and found to contain 63 categories of items
    Items Displayed

    As the contents were removed, the items were displayed to all assembled    		 Crowd Assembled

    During the day, over 400 people viewed the items on display    		 1976 Employees

    Visitors and current employees with service in 1976 held the capsule's flag for a group photo

    Info:

  • June 23, 2004 On Target e-Newsletter Notes on Event
  • June 24, 2004 On Target e-Newsletter Inventory List
  • June 24, 2004 The Advocate News Story
  • July 1, 2004 Heath News News Story
  • July 14, 2004 Columbus Federal Voice News Story


    June 17, 2004
    Time Capsule To Be Opened
    A time capsule, part of Newark Air Force Base's celebration of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, is to be dug up and opened during the week of June 21st--22 years early.

    The time capsule, marked by a stone marker, sat between the West Parking Lot and the entrance sign near where the base missile and jet used to stand. The capsule was set in place at an event held May 27, 1976 with the help of Base dignitaries, including former Congressman John Ashbrook. It was buried with the instructions to open it in 2026.

    The capsule fell victim to the West Parking Lot Reconstruction project now underway. It sits in the middle of what will be a new east-west roadway at the north end of the reconstructed parking lot. It can't stay where it is buried due to the new parking lot.

    Sensitivity to the history and the desires of the 1976 Bicentennial committee that interned the capsule were weighed. Members of the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and many Base employees were alerted and consulted. The Port Authority even heard from some who took part, 28 years ago, in the burying of the capsule.

    Thought was put in to whether to open it now or re-bury it and hope for the best in the year 2026. However, there are no guarantees that the contents, being buried for 28 years, have even survived. There were also fears that relocation of the capsule would hasten the deterioration of its contents.

    Given the choice of respecting the wishes transmitted in 1976 or risking the contents by reburying the past, the Port Authority chose to open it.

    In the near future, the contents will be inventoried with a log and sample photos displayed on the OnTheBase.com website. Additionally, the Port Authority will announce in the future opportunities to view the items on display at its offices.

    Info:

  • May 13, 1976 On Target Story
  • May 27, 1976 On Target Stories
  • June 21, 2004 On Target e-Newsletter Notes Announcing Event