As communities across the country celebrate America’s 250th birthday this Fourth of July weekend, Henry County has taken a remarkable step back in time.
Volunteers, assisted by Wilbert Vault Works of Burlington, recently unearthed the Henry County Bicentennial Time Capsule, which had remained sealed underground for nearly 50 years. The capsule was originally buried in 1976 as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration and was intended to be opened during the country’s 250th anniversary.
The project traces its roots to the Henry County Bicentennial Commission, formed in 1973 under the leadership of Helen Virden. During the three years leading up to the Bicentennial, Henry County became the first county in the nation to be designated a Bicentennial County. Every school in the county earned Bicentennial School status, twelve communities received Bicentennial Community recognition, Iowa Wesleyan College was designated a Bicentennial College, and KILJ Radio became Iowa’s first designated Bicentennial Radio Station for its extensive coverage of local Bicentennial activities.
The time capsule was dedicated on November 11, 1976, as a gift from Weir-Cookes Funeral Home and filled with contributions from residents, businesses, churches, schools, and organizations throughout Henry County.
When the vault was opened Friday, volunteers discovered a remarkable snapshot of everyday life in 1976. Among the first items removed were the American, Iowa and Bicentennial flags that had flown over Mount Pleasant’s Fourth of July celebration that year.
The capsule also contained a city parking meter, a Motorola two-way radio, a Princess-style telephone, glass pop bottles, phonograph records, local newspapers, a 1976 telephone directory and Mount Pleasant city directory, along with memorabilia from schools, churches, civic organizations and businesses across the county.
The collection offers a unique look at what life was like in Henry County a half-century ago, preserving not only important moments in the county’s history but also the ordinary items that defined everyday life during the 1970s.
The contents of the time capsule will be displayed at the Mount Pleasant Public Library in the coming weeks.
Organizers also announced that a new time capsule, using a vault donated by local Mount Pleasant funeral homes, will be buried in the same location. Many of the original items will be reburied alongside memorabilia from 2026, with instructions directing future generations to open the capsule during America’s tricentennial celebration in 2076.
Hear more moments from the time capsule vault excavation, contents unveiling, and the thoughts from members of the Mount Pleasant community by listening to this Sunday’s Focus program here:
