This time capsule filled with Tuscarawas County memorabilia was placed recently inside the restored dome of the county courthouse. Its contents won't be seen again until the year 2068. (Submitted photo)

New Philadelphia, Ohio - A snapshot of Tuscarawas County in the year 2018 will be preserved for future generations.

On Monday, county commissioners dedicated a time capsule filled with Tuscarawas County memorabilia to mark the final stages of a $1.5 million restoration of the county’s 136-year-old courthouse building.   

Commissioner Chris Aubihl says the time capsule is about the size of a laptop computer and covered with the same type of copper sheeting that was used to replace the roof of the courthouse dome and cupola. 

Inside, the commissioners placed a variety of items of local significance including a copy of The Times-Reporter from October 30th, 2018, chronicling the resetting of the courthouse dome; 2018 rosters from the County Commissioners of Ohio and Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce; a 2018 Sheriff badge and patch; a pair of hand-carved pliers from Warther’s Museum; photographs taken at various locations throughout Tuscarawas County; and copper sheeting from project subcontractor Nimen Sheet Metal, among other items. 

The filled capsule was soldered shut and placed in an undisclosed area somewhere inside the dome last week. Its contents won’t be seen again until the capsule is reopened in the year 2068. 

Aubihl says the commissioners selected items that they felt were a good representation of the county that were also small enough to fit inside of the capsule. He says some additional items were also considered, but there simply wasn’t enough space.  

“It would be neat to have some of our technology, but we didn’t have the space to put it in there,” he says. “In 50 years from now, probably some of the technology that we have will be obsolete at that point.”

Aubihl says the time capsule is an exciting way to close out the nearly year-long effort to preserve the beauty of the Courthouse for future generations.

“I’m excited for the events that will happen 50 years from now when they open it to see what their thoughts are,” he says. 

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV