By Alec Bruce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Guysborough Journal
MULGRAVE: A Nova Scotia Liquor Commission price list was among the more surprising treasures pulled from a 25-year-old time capsule opened recently to help celebrate Mulgrave’s 100th anniversary year.
“That kind of threw me,” Mulgrave Mayor Ron Chisolm said, who officiated at the event before a crowd of approximately 75 eager onlookers – including former mayors and councillors – at the town’s Memorial Centre Gymnasium on Dec. 10.
Other items stowed away by teachers and students at Mulgrave’s high school in 1998 included a photo of the debenture of the town, a write-up of the very first council meeting held in 1923 and banners from Girl Guide and Pathfinder troops.
“Unfortunately,” Chisholm said, “a fair bit of water had managed to get in. I put my hand in and [some of it] was mush. But I’d say a good 90 per cent of it was salvageable… Some of the teachers back then had gone all out and made little, laminated books on each of their kids.”
Earlier this month, Mulgrave council considered whether to start another 25-year capsule. Said Chisholm following the opening: “I think we’re going to do that. Only, this time, we won’t keep it outside. It’ll be in the Mulgrave Heritage Centre, so there won’t be any damage when it gets opened. It was a little heartbreaking to see that the contents were wet.”