What will Clarkesville, Georgia, be like in 2074? That is the question many are answering in letters, 600 words or less, to be placed in the time capsule at the culmination of the Clarkesville Bi-Centennial Celebration.
Having celebrated throughout 2023 the Bi-Centennial Year of the founding of Clarkesville, Brad Coppedge, Clarkesville Councilman, and time capsule coordinator, talked with Now Habersham about the significance of the ceremony.
“50 years from now, when the time capsule is opened, Clarkesville will be a different place,” Coppedge said. “We want to preserve this historical year with artifacts, photos, and letters selected from community members.”
The four donors to purchase the time capsule were The Norton Agency, Rainwater Development Group, HEMC, and Pinnacle Bank. These businesses will submit letters as well as the Mayor and City Manager of Clarkesville. Letters will be selected from members of the community as well. Coppedge said they would select 10.
“One of our donors brought me a key,” Coppedge laughed. “I asked him what this was for and he said, ‘In 50 years, we won’t use keys’.”
The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 27, at the Clarkesville Community House located at 157 Mary Street, begins at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. The time capsule will be on display at each of the businesses that donated for 3 months. Its final resting place will be at the Clarkesville City Hall, where it will remain for 49 years until opened. Piedmont Metal engraved the logos of the businesses on the capsule as well as the City of Clarkesville logo.
“Some of the letters will be read by Main Street Director Colby Moore during the ceremony,” Coppedge added.
Light refreshments will be served during the event in the newly renovated Clarkesville Community House. A date will be established to open the capsule in 2073.
