March 14, 2059. The newspaper article you are now reading has found its way into the hands of a future resident of Weehawken. Not by the means of the Starship Enterprise or a Delorean, but rather through a simple steel box measuring two-by-two-by-two feet.
Copies of the Reporter from March 15, 2009 through the current issue will be included in the 150th Anniversary Time Capsule that is scheduled to be buried in the Weehawken Water Tower this weekend and will not be opened again until 2059.
“We want future generations to know how proud we are of our history, traditions, diversity and culture.” – Richard Turner
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“I think it’s going to be weird,” said 8-year old Erin Purcell as she tried to think of what life will be like in 50 years. “Because I’m gonna be old.”
Boxed goods
Over 50 groups, including township departments, civic organizations, and churches, participated by bringing items to the Town Council meeting on Wednesday to put in the capsule. It was slated to be buried Saturday, March 13.
A dog license and a Parking Authority sticker with the sesquicentennial number (150) were added with a verbal reminder from the mayor for current residents to get their new parking stickers if they haven’t done so already.
Representatives from the Webster School brought crayons, notes to future students, a lunch menu, and a ketchup pack. Principal Alfred Orecchio from the Roosevelt School added a collage, history notes from Room 206, and an iPod fully loaded with current tunes on behalf of students.
Boy Scout Leo Hochhauser, 13, said he hopes that the residents who open the time capsule in 50 years will see that scouting was happening in Weehawken, even though he may not be around to open it.
“I’m not going to be here,” said Hochhauser. “ ’Cause I’m going to be president.”
Sign of the times
Some of the items placed in the time capsule may be an indicator of what life was like for Weehawken residents in 2009 and 2010.
The Housing Department’s inclusion of their age requirements to live in a public senior building may seem strange in a future society that lives to be 110 years old. And the list of recyclables from the Department of Public Works could be laughable or saddening depending on how the earth changes.
Photos of New York City as seen from Weehawken will be interesting to compare as the skyline morphs over time, but some people at the meeting wondered how the crime prevention tips included by the Police Department would be looked at in the future, and if there will be crime at all.
Just in case there is, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple included a book on “How to Live a Peaceful and Moral Life.”
History in the making
Attendees at the meeting on Wednesday signed a guest book which has been placed in the time capsule along with postmarked envelopes, the cake knife from the 150th anniversary cake, and a letter from the mayor.
“These objects represent things that we value and believe in,” said Mayor Richard Turner in the letter. “We want future generations to know how proud we are of our history, traditions, diversity and culture.”
In addition to the items added by the community organizations, the town is also recording video from every street in Weehawken for the capsule.
To prepare for whatever technology may bring in 50 years, a netbook and charger were included so that flash drives and CD’s will be able to be viewed.
The sealing of the time capsule, which will be registered with the International Time Capsule Society, officially ends the township’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.