Buckingham Courthouse, Virginia - the opening of the 100 year-old time capsule placed in the base of the Confederate Monument June 30, 1908.

The materials of the monument are granite obelisk.  The height is 25-30 feet.

Artifacts in cornerstone described in 200 Years of Freemasonry in Buckingham County, Virginia by Carl Coleman Rose, Jr., pp214-215:  "a copy of General Lee's Farewell Address (click to read) to the Army of Northern Virginia provided by E. V. Anderson; List of Old Soldiers by Judge W. Duke, Jr.; "History of Monument" by Rev. Plummer Jones; poem by Miss Annie Irvine; names of person who contributed to the monument; $100 Confederate note by A.C. Garnett, Jr.; $100 Confederate note by J.T. Oliver; $20.00 Confederate notes one each by Wm. Williams and Lewis Williams; $10.00 Confederate note by Mrs. Fannie England; one souvenir postal of Lee's Monument; by Mrs. England, one piece of rope used in drawing by General Fitz Lee at the unveiling of the Lee monument, the same used by the young ladies drawing the vehicle in which he was sitting; Roll of Co. K, 4th Va. Cavalry; $50.00 Confederate note by F. H. Spencer; "Copy of Tennessee Mason" by T.I. Claiborne."

According to Appomattox and Buckingham Times, June 24, 1908, James "Cyclone Jim" Marshall was one of the speakers at laying of the cornerstone on 6/30/1908/  Daily Progress, Vol. XXX-No. 92, June 9, 1908 - Dedication said to be highly partisan.  Have copy of original newspaper article - a Confederate veteran, William H. Megginson, unveiled it from his wheelchair. click photo to enlarge ...

Below is the order of the service:

10:00 AM

Welcome
   Honorable Malcolm Booker, Circuit Court Clerk

Invocation
   Reverend Don Moore

Pledge of Allegiance
   Honorable Malcolm Booker, Circuit Court Clerk

Salute to Virginia Flag & Confederate Flag
   Nancy Faxon, U.D.C.

Robert E. Lee's Farewell Address
   Robert Moates

Overview of the History of the Time Capsule
   Honorable Malcolm Booker, Circuit Court Clerk

The Time Capsule Project - the Opening
   Dr. Brian D. Bates

Poem Reading
   Nancy Faxon, U.D. C.

Benediction
   Reverend Don Moore

My thoughts ...

This day marked a very important piece of history for Buckingham Virginia as well as neighbors from other counties.  For the Civil War and the role it played in the lives of many means more when you get to experience something of this nature with items touched by the very same hands of those who fought for our Country.

To me - it was an honor to experience this day - and for my husband and children - it was a great history lesson for our entire family.

It was so exciting to watch Mr. Booker, Clerk of the Circuit Court as he welcomed each one to the ceremony and listening to the thrill in his voice to be a part of such a special occasion.  Watching Dr. Bates was the highlight of the day - for his passion for the old - the historical and his yearning to preserve these things for future generations is so evident in his demeanor.  He was so excited to gather "the capsule" - open it and watching his subtle nervousness as he opened an intricate piece of history was incredible.  He handled each piece with great care and when he thought that items were too fragile to open - he chose to have the Virginia Historical society to work on opening the items and taking the necessary measures to preserve each piece.

As a web designer and photographer - I try to search out the emotion by those experiencing the same moments as I.  The souls who attended this ceremony are to be as honored as those who made it happen.  For they too share the same passion and love for the Civil War, the county in which they live, and the stories for our children.

What a great day!

~ Katrina Blankenship
web developer and owner of www.leesretreat.com
email - katrina@katrina.com

Event Committee

Dr. Brian Bates
Archeologist Professor - Longwood University
Honorable Malcolm Booker
Circuit Court Clerk - Buckingham
Nancy Faxon
United Daughters of the Confederacy
Mr. Wilbur Haver
Buckingham Masonic Lodge 242
Martha Louis
Historic Buckingham

Special Thanks
For donating Items for the New Time Capsule:
Steven Yancey Sutton
Gertrue Wootten Carroll
Nancy Sutton Faxon
Audie & Marsha Akers
Martha Jones Holmes
Historic Buckingham, Inc.

Pipers

William Plail
Dave Montieth

These items uncovered will eventually be brought back to the Historical Museum in Buckingham County for all to enjoy.

The item list for the new Time Capsule of 2008 will be listed shortly.