Village Of Monroe To Open 50-Year-Old Time Capsule This Weekend

Photos by: Y. Stein

Y.R.

The Village of Monroe is preparing to open a time capsule that was sealed 50 years ago during America’s 200th birthday.

The “Spirit of ’76” time capsule was placed in 1976 as part of the nation’s 200th anniversary, with instructions for it to be opened on July 4, 2026. The opening now comes as the country marks its 250th anniversary.  

The ceremony is scheduled for this Saturday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mayor’s Monument in Monroe, located at the corner of Lake Street and Route 17M.  

Ahead of Saturday’s ceremony, the Village of Monroe Highway Department carefully uncovered and removed the time capsule on Tuesday after it had remained buried for five decades. The capsule will now be publicly opened during the July 4 ceremony.

The time capsule marker lists local leaders from the time, including William G. Rogers, then Supervisor of Monroe; Robert R. Gleason, then Mayor of Monroe; Irving Hammerman, Chairman; and David E. Clark, then Mayor of Harriman.

Village officials are inviting the broader Monroe  community to attend the opening and take part in the historic moment, 50 years after the capsule was first sealed.