First donations made to Reily Township time capsule

The Reily Township Historical Society is currently accepting contributions for its 50-year time capsule. Three donations have been made so far, and the society hopes to receive more by the deadline to submit items on Labor Day, Sept. 7. 

The first contribution was made on Aug. 2 by Marcia Schlichter, the president of Reily Township Good Neighbors, who donated a packet of information about the Good Neighbors group. 

Trevor Martz, Kasey Condo and Mike Condo from the Mullen Dairy and Creamery donated an empty milk jar from their creamery. 

Reily Township Historical Society Board President Roger Koch said a copy of the Oxford Free Press July 31 issue, which contains an article about the reopening of Reily’s Indian Creek Tavern, will also be included.

The idea for the time capsule came during a historical society meeting when the board was discussing ways to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Koch suggested the idea, inspired by a time capsule he made with his family. 

Koch expects the Reily time capsule will likely be modeled after his own family’s time capsule. He will build it out of a large PVC tube sealed on both ends and add moisture-wicking packets inside to protect the artifacts. 

Rather than being buried or incorporated into a building, as many time capsules are, Reily’s time capsule will be mobile. Koch said it may move between municipal buildings as a piece of living history, but until then, it will be in the museum, inscribed with the date it was sealed and instructions to open on July 4, 2076. 

The historical society invited select groups to donate to ensure there would be enough space in the capsule for all contributions. Those groups are members of the Reily Township Historical Society, the Reily Township Trustees, the Reily Volunteer Fire Department, the Reily Road Department, the Reily Township Good Neighbors and the Pioneer Church Committee.

According to a Facebook post from the historical society, items should be small, such as “documents, pictures, cards, letters, papers, coins, medallions, or other small trinkets.” Additionally, “All items should be tagged, have a current date, and be identified clearly with names and/or signed” to ensure those opening the capsule in 50 years understand the context of the items.  

Donations from invited groups can be made by calling (513) 593-2735 or emailing reilyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off.