KERROBERT — Despite Mother Nature’s effort to upstage the June 23 time capsule unveiling in Kerrobert, more than 150 people, a number of dignitaries and several media sources were on hand to watch the opening of the newly discovered, 1920 time capsule.
Kerrobert Museum summer student Breena Hebron said, “What an exciting night we had. What made the night even better is there was, in fact, items in the time capsule.”
Some in attendance remarked on the hype around a 1986 event with talk show host Geraldo Rivera scheduling a live TV show to open Al Capone’s vault and nothing was found inside.
The crowd drew a bated breath when Wayne Mock carefully and meticulously opened the sealed panel that contained the contents. As he pulled back the copper lid, a hush of silence fell over the crowd. Once the crowd realized there were indeed items inside, the buzz of excitement began.
Hebron, who was Mock’s gloved assistant, says, “As the Kerrobert museum’s summer student curator this year, I was given the honour of pulling out the objects myself. Slowly, and with very shaky hands, I retrieved each of the artifacts. There were four separate objects in the box which were: a paper with the handwritten words ‘Data from Wilson & Wilson Ltd., General Contractors, Regina;’ a program from a banquet held by the Kerrobert Bar Association on July 21, 1920; a stack of newspapers; an unidentifiable folded paper object.”
“We did not unfold any of the papers at this function due to the fear that they might be damaged. However, a professional will be contacted in the hopes that we can receive expert guidance on how to further proceed with the artifacts."
June 23 began with the museum open for tours, as well as the courthouse being filled with music performed by Kerrobert’s own Frank Beausoliel, Brandy Osterhold and Kara Lee Sieben. The Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery also is now showing the combined exhibit of Shane Junop and Bonny Macnab. A community barbecue was quickly forced indoors when an hour-long thunderstorm erupted.
As soon as the rain let up, everyone gathered near the courtyard to see the new, permanent sculpture unveiled. (See Newly unveiled sculpture at Kerrobert Courthouse - SaskToday.ca )
Special guests included: MP Rosemarie Falk; MLA Ken Francis; Mayor Wayne Mock; Stan Pitura, retired judicial officer from 1978 to courthouse closing in 1996; and Jean Norris, Kerrobert resident since 1920, when the courthouse was completed. Missing was John Tomecheck, Second World War veteran and longtime resident of Kerrobert.
The Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society live streamed the program and opening on Facebook for those who could not be in attendance with people commenting from the area and afar.
Prior to the historic artifact being opened, there was a brief program with words given by dignitaries present as well as letters read from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, Frank Korvemaker, a retired archivist and construction historian as well as David Orr, the last resident judge to serve in Kerrobert.
MLA, Ken Francis, who did not speak at the program, but said after of his experience, “I was pleased to be invited to attend the Kerrobert Courthouse time capsule event June 23. It was very well attended and everyone that gathered was excited for both the capsule opening as well as the unveiling of the courtyard commemorative sculpture. The Kerrobert courthouse is a great example of the vision and importance of early 20th century architecture in rural Saskatchewan.”
Francis added, “It’s a beautiful building in a perfect spot overlooking the townsite from the hilltop. I’m happy the residents of Kerrobert took ownership of this historic landmark and made it a priority to maintain and operate it as their town office, library, and museum. It literally and figuratively is the heart of their community. Well done, Kerrobert.”
Hebron says of the wait to open the papers retrieved, "Despite this, some information can be gleamed from what has already been seen.”
Wilson & Wilson were the contractors hired to build the courthouse back in 1920, with the low bid of $145,750. One of the first items retrieved had their name on it. Mayor Mock noted the entire cost of the courthouse in 1920 was almost as much as the steps restoration project was costing today.
The newspapers appeared to be issues of the Kerrobert Citizen.
While some of the paperwork retrieved seemed unidentifiable, speculation arose that the architect, Maurice W. Sharon may have a letter included with the stack of papers that came out. Some also speculate there may be love letters included.
“Although some may be disappointed that the time capsule held ‘only papers’ many realize that a time capsule speaks to more than what it holds. It speaks of hope and faith of knowing that someday, maybe 102 years later, a group of excited citizens will gather together to see what is inside; it speaks of pride from those who filled the box knowing that their hard work should be marked with something as special as this; and it speaks of the importance of small-town people celebrating what and when they can despite difficulties,” says Hebron.
“The people who filled the box could not have known that 102 years later so many incredible changes would occur, but one thing that remains is that this small town is great, our people are good and it’s a wonderful place to be.”
Hebron is the great-great granddaughter of Frank Ball, town of Kerrobert councillor in 1920 and of Christina (McCulloch) Snell, the first woman to work in the Kerrobert Courthouse from 1919 to 1922. She said she felt honoured and blessed to be part of the historic event that unfolded.
As it stands, there will be a sequel to the time capsule opening as people will learn more about what the contents removed will reveal once the Kerrobert Courtroom Restoration Society learns how to best delicately handle the 102-year-old memorabilia.
