Martin County seals first time capsule for 2051

You Matter Appalachia intern Garrett Lowe clicks the lock shut on Martin County’s first official time capsule. The capsule will remain at the Martin County Government Center until it is opened in 2051. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — With the click of a lock and the words “God bless America,” Martin County sealed its first official time capsule Thursday. The capsule will preserve a snapshot of life in 2026 for residents to discover 25 years from now.

You Matter Appalachia intern Garrett Lowe secured the capsule during a ceremony at the Martin County Government Center, where it will remain until 2051. The keys will be kept in a safe deposit box at First State Bank.

A copy of The Mountain Citizen going into Martin County’s first official time capsule, which contains newspapers, photographs, commemorative coins, a You Matter Appalachia T-shirt and other items documenting life in the county in 2026. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Lowe joined fellow interns Grace Caldwell, Reese Blankenship, Keilan Jewell and Chloe Alley for the ceremony, along with Thomas Ray, a business instructor at Martin County Area Technology Center and team leader for the You Matter Appalachia Community and Tourism Development Cohort, and Martin County Tourism Chairperson Nita Collier.

From left, You Matter Appalachia interns Garrett Lowe, Grace Caldwell, Reese Blankenship, Keilan Jewell and Chloe Alley stand with team leader Thomas Ray and Martin County Tourism Chairperson Nita Collier during the time capsule ceremony. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Martin County Tourism and the interns began collecting items in June that reflect life in the county during America’s 250th anniversary year.

Alley said the capsule contains newspapers and a photo book featuring images of Inez, Warfield and the price of eggs, gasoline and milk.

“I’ve already forgotten most of the items that we put in there,” Alley said. “So I’m excited to open it in 25 years.”

Ray said one of the most meaningful items is a You Matter Appalachia T-shirt representing the program’s inaugural group of interns.

“This is the first crew to take part in this internship,” Ray said. “Being able to open this in 25 years and reflect on the first You Matter interns will be a nice little surprise.”

Former Martin County Circuit Court Clerk Carolyn Horn contributed a six-page handwritten letter.

“It’s handwritten, so hopefully someone will be able to read it in 25 years,” Collier said.

First State Bank donated commemorative 2026 half-dollars. The capsule also contains a commemorative postage stamp and what Collier described as the bank’s final penny of 2025.

“We also have the Mountain Citizen with the story on our America 250 celebration,” Collier said.

After the final items went inside, Lowe clicked the lock shut.

“God bless America,” he said.

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