As the final activity in Parkesburg Borough's Sesquicentennial celebration, a time capsule was buried in Parkesburg on July 30 at the Keystone Valley Fire Department (KVFD). The time capsule will be unearthed 25 years from now.

Participating in the informal ceremony were local historian Gerry Treadway, Parkesburg Historic Commission member Jack Mariano and borough manager Joe Reali. Volunteer firefighters took on the job of placing the sealed time capsule in a plastic pipe about 10 feet underground near KVFD's memorial garden.

Treadway said that the public was invited to place items in the time capsule. Items were collected in drop boxes that were located at KVFD and at the Parkesburg Borough Hall. Community members were asked to place a souvenir or note inside for someone to open in 25 years. The submissions were sealed in plastic bags with the intended recipients' contact information visible from the outside.

"There are 40 different packages in there (that contain) all kind of family mementos, people's pictures, letters to future generations and historical items," Treadway explained, noting that the time capsule weighed more than 100 pounds.

Also contained in the time capsule was the Sesquicentennial commemorative booklet that was featured in the Octorara Community Courier.

Having a time capsule in Parkesburg is a tradition. The Parkesburg Centennial time capsule, which was buried in 1997, was opened on May 22 at Minch Park during the Sesquicentennial's closing ceremony. The items inside included CDs, historical items and a print of the Parkesburg Train Station, which was later put up for auction.

"We notified (people) that they had items in the time capsule and they could pick them up," said Treadway. Items are being stored until they are claimed by family members. A list of unclaimed items can be found at http://www.parkesburg.org.

The Borough of Parkesburg, which was incorporated in 1872, celebrated its 150th anniversary on May 20 through 22. The event featured a parade, historical demonstrations and exhibits, live music, a display for antique vehicles and a Children's History Carnival.

As the time capsule was being buried on July 30, Mariano stated, "Let's commit this to the deep." The time capsule will be unearthed in July 2047.