Credit: Joe Marlow/Submitted
As James Buchanan Elementary School nears the end of its lifespan, alumni from over the decades it has educated children, as well as staff and current students, gathered one final time to witness the opening of the school’s time capsule.
What seemed like hundreds of people crowded the lobby of the Bristol Township elementary school last week to see what has been hidden for 29 years. A bible, a class list, an American flag, T-shirts with the Buchanan Bulldog printed on it and a packet of pictures came out of the time capsule that was buried in the brick walls of the school.
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The time capsule was installed in the Haines Road school in 1986 and was originally set to be opened in 2036. The upcoming demolition of the building that could not have been foreseen by those in 1986 meant Bristol Township School District officials had to open the capsule early.
John Hutchings was the principal of Buchanan when the capsule was placed behind the plaque in the lobby and was present to see it opened up. “It’s great to be back for this,” he said.
“Once you’re part of the staff, you’re always part of it,” Hutchings said.
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Members of the community who were students when the time capsule went away were also present at the unearthing.
Joe Marlow, who is now a teacher in the district, lived across the street from the school growing up. He was attending the school when the time capsule was installed. “I remember thinking: ‘I will definitely be here when they open it,’” Marlow said. “I wondered who would still be around.”
Credit: Joe Marlow/Submitted
Credit: Joe Marlow/Submitted
