Recently, I came across a time capsule buried Dec. 6, 1997, to be opened Dec. 6, 2097. I wasn’t aware that a time capsule had been buried in the middle of our Woodstock City Park, but there it was. I have walked there many times, but, perhaps, I have never looked down. Our gorgeous Centennial clock is right next to the capsule, which was dedicated to our little city on July 4, 1998.
I sat on a nearby bench and thought about that time capsule, and what changes Woodstock may go through by the year 2097. My mind also wandered back to the years before Woodstock was the place we all enjoy today − back to 1997.
We raised our children in Cobb County, and Woodstock seemed so far away 20 years ago. It was a quaint small town with a couple of antiques stores, a train depot and, if I recall correctly, two restaurants. I made it a point to drive to Woodstock every so often to shop for the perfect treasure to display in our home.
I have a very fond memory of treating my mother, who would visit us, to lunch in Woodstock. Even then, years ago, she was just as taken with Woodstock as I was. We loved that this small town was so close to home.
Look at Woodstock today. It certainly has boomed. Homes are being built to accommodate those who want to have a part of our little city. I can’t imagine what Woodstock will be like when that capsule is opened in 2097. Wonderful possibilities are ahead.
Will our Woodstock look the same in 79 years? Probably not. Hard to imagine what will be. Will we keep up with the times? Will new replace old? Who knows? We really don’t know and the experts don’t either, but we all have our opinions.
Interestingly, our Centennial clock displays various times of the day on the four faces of the clock stuck in time. Time, it appears, stands still in our City Park. Perhaps this is as it should be.
The idea that time will stop in Woodstock is an appealing thought and that in 2079 Woodstock will miraculously look much the same as it does now, makes me even happier. Older, of course, but with the same quaintness we want to hold on to.
For now, we should just enjoy Woodstock as it is today and every day. As it was once aptly described, Woodstock is “where yesterday lives and tomorrow waits.”
– By Leigh Cutrone, contributing writer
A Glimpse Into the Time Capsule
Juanita Hughes, Woodstock’s city historian who’s active in Preservation Woodstock projects, was able to shed some light on the contents of the time capsule. Burying the artifact was one of the activities highlighted during the 1997 centennial celebration, organized by the Woodstock Centennial Commission, which later became Preservation Woodstock.
Among the items in the capsule:
- A 1997 Woodstock Elementary School yearbook.
- A key to the city.
- A letter from then Mayor David Rogers to Woodstock’s leader in 2097.
- A Woodstock Centennial Commemorative Coca-Cola bottle.
- Photographs of the city.
- A copy of the Cherokee Tribune’s annual Cherokee County Progress Report.
- “Georgia’s Woodstock: A Centennial Tribute 1897-1997,” written by Felicia Whitmore.
- “Set Apart: The Baptist Church at Woodstock, 1837-1987,” written by Juanita Hughes.
- A couple of videos, which Hughes pointed out actually may not be viewable in 2097.
- Hughes is fairly certain the capsule includes a cookbook published by Preservation
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