Henry County celebrated America’s 250th birthday by looking back 50 years. Volunteers recently opened the Henry County Bicentennial Time Capsule, which had been buried since 1976 as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration and was intended to be opened during this year’s anniversary.
Inside, volunteers found dozens of items capturing everyday life in 1976, including American, Iowa and Bicentennial flags, a parking meter, a Motorola two-way radio, a Princess telephone, glass soda bottles, phonograph records, local newspapers, a 1976 phone book, and memorabilia from schools, churches, businesses and community organizations throughout Henry County. The items will be displayed at the Mount Pleasant Public Library in the coming weeks.
Organizers also announced plans to bury a new time capsule in the same location to remain sealed until America’s 300th anniversary in 2076.
