Over 25 years ago, members of the Portsmouth Sister Cities organization prepared a time capsule to be readied and opened in the year 2015.
“The Sister Cities organization finds cities from other countries that share commonalities to have a cultural exchange with. For Portsmouth, these cities are Zittau in Germany, Orizaba in Mexico and Corby in England,” said Karen Davis, the president of the Sister Cities Organization in Portsmouth.
“Twenty seven years ago, the International Convention for the Sister Cities program was held in Portsmouth,” explained Davis.
“At that time they put together the time capsule, it was a big deal.”
Anna Linck, a writer for the Daily Times in 1989, wrote an article on the convention, “Portsmouth hosts and its visitors from Mexico and California wasted no time Friday. They plunged right into a cultural exchange as advised Thursday by Ohio’s Governor Richard Celeste and other speakers. The delegates to the United States/Mexico Sister City International convention got a taste of the area’s German cuisine and a lively sample of the Blue Grass and Country music sounds.”
But the time capsule was misplaced, thought to be in the care of Shawnee State University, known then as Shawnee State College.
“The 25th convention was a year ago, but no one from Orizaba contacted us about the time capsule, so it seems as if they forgot about it as well,” said Davis.
After doing some searching, it was found that time capsule was actually held in the City Building.
Now the Sister Cities organization plans to open the time capsule — better late than never.
“We really don’t know what’s in it, we’re going to do some readings from that original program. We have a hint that the time capsule may have some predictions about the future that were made by the members, it’s going to be interesting to see what they thought the year 2015 would look like,” explained Davis.
There is also a mural on the flood wall, depicting the sister cities. The mural was painted by Robert Dafford. Completed in 1995, it’s titled “Portsmouth’s Window on the World.” It creates the illusion of looking through three archways, each belonging to a Sister City.
The time capsule will be opened at the Portsmouth Sister City annual meeting, held June 9 from 5:30 until 8 p.m. To attend, you must RSVP by June 7. The cost is $5 per person with children admitted free. Please bring a covered dish or dessert. For more information, please contact Karen Davis at 740-352-9724.
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