pembroke historical society re-dedicates the museum building and opens time capsule from 1985

Photographs Courtesy of Kathleen Keegan

​Article Written by Pembroke Mariner-Wicked Local Reporter, Adam Silva 

While members of the Pembroke Historical Society weren't able to hop into a DeLorean to travel back to 1985, they were able to get a glimpse of the past on Saturday, Oct. 13.

A time capsule was assembled 33 years ago by Cub Scout Pack 104 and was held in the care of then-pack leader Theresa Smith. She contacted the historical society this past spring and told them the time had come for it to be opened.

The capsule was opened with 10 Cub Scouts from Pack 105 in attendance (Pack 104 no longer exists) as they crowded around the box as it was finally opened.

The capsule contained mementos from the pack and the town, such as pictures and drawings from the scouts, newspaper articles, a scout neckerchief and scout patches that are no longer used.

“Our favorite piece was an old newsletter from the historical society,” said Pembroke Historical Society President Beth Dwyer. “It really was fun to read and a great way to look back at what the society was doing in 1985. The whole thing really was a lot of fun.”

The contents of the capsule will be used for an exhibit at the society’s headquarters at 116 Center St.
In addition to the time capsule being opened Saturday, the historical society building was rededicated with newly manicured landscaping that has taken place over the past 18 months in memory of several society members that have recently died.

A fund has been created in their memory to have the building’s upkeep maintained to “keep the building alive,” according to Dwyer.

Another part of the property that has been brought back to its former glory is a horse trough that previously resided in front of the building many years ago. It recently was housed in Bryantville and since being brought back to Center Street, it has been used as a pottery piece, which is something it should be used for, according to Dwyer.
The society’s curator, Jaclyn Robinson, plans to create a display of the capsule’s contents that will be on display through the winter holidays.

Their next open houses will take place on Sunday, Dec. 3 for all of their properties from 1 to 3 p.m. The other society locations are the Adah Hall House, at 52 Barker St.; the Friends Quaker Meeting House at 70 Washington St.; and Peter’s Well at 175 Fairwood Drive.

The museum building will also be open until 6 p.m. during the Christmas tree lighting on the town green that day.
For more information about the society, visit pembrokehistoricalsociety.org.
Follow Adam Silva on Twitter @AdamSMariner.