Those living in the city in 2066 will get a glimpse into life in East Peoria 50 years earlier when they unearth a time capsule being buried on May 21, 2016.
A ceremony dedicating the cornerstone at East Peoria City Hall and placing the time capsule will occur at 1 p.m. May 21 at city hall, 401 W. Washington St. The ceremony will be conducted by the Grand Lodge Masons of Illinois.
The time capsule will contain an 8-inch diameter PVC pipe which will hold the items. It will be sealed and then placed into a 10-inch diameter, 42-inch long PVC pipe. That pipe will have instructions indicating which end to cut when opening the capsule in 2066. The capsule will then be placed in the ground and encased in concrete. A medallion will be set in concrete about four feet from the city hall cornerstone so those planning to open it in 2066 will know where to dig.
Items from 2016 for inclusion in the container are being obtained by members of a time capsule committee comprised of City of East Peoria and Fondulac District Library employees, and officials from the East Peoria Historical Society and Hilton Masonic Lodge 1143. The content is still being finalized, and once all the items are gathered they will be on display at the library.
The time capsule will be painted and those attending the ceremony, which is open to the public, will be invited to sign it.
Due to the ceremony, Richland Street will be closed from Spinder Drive to the roundabout from 8 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. The exit from the Target store onto Clock Tower Drive will also be blocked.