As the capsule was being opened on its 40th anniversary, Mullins read a letter from the 1986 Time Capsule Committee: “The project began as an activity related to our study of archaeology and ended as an enthusiastic tribute to the 75th anniversary of St. Christopher’s School. We hope that when the box is opened, it will provide an interesting glimpse of St. Christopher’s in 1985-1986.” 

 

Items found included a matchbox car, a StC 75th anniversary t-shirt, a class picture, a cassette tape of a glee club recording, a paper football, vintage Sports Illustrated magazine issues, 1985 issues of The Pine Needle, a supply list for the school year, the 1985-1986 school directory, issues of local and national newspapers, and much more. The findings sparked conversations about the differences in technology today and then, but also the similarities of a typical school day and continued StC traditions. One fifth grader remarked, “It seems like it’s changed in a lot of ways, but not that much.” 

 

When asked if there is anything he wishes he had included that he didn’t, Ayers responded, “No, I think this is a good snapshot of what happened outside of school, inside the school and then specifically inside the classroom. It’s a great representation of what happened in 1985.” As current fifth graders work on their own time capsule, Ayers implored them to think of “things that are important to you, and how they could change in 40 years.”