BLAST FROM THE PAST: CONTENTS OF WASHINGTON CO. COURTHOUSE TIME CAPSULE REVEALED
Historic treasures hidden for 87 years were uncovered on Tuesday during a time capsule opening ceremony at the Washington County Expo Event Center.
from scrap from the old home of General Sam Houston.
County officials welcomed a large crowd to see the contents of a box that was discovered behind one of the exterior stones of the Washington County Courthouse. Inside was a trove of documents and artifacts dating back to when the courthouse was built and dedicated in October 1939, including items like copies of the Brenham Banner-Press at the start of World War II, a Western Union telegram from Lyndon B. Johnson – then a U.S. Representative – to former County Judge Richard Spinn, membership rosters from local organizations, and a gavel made from scrap taken from the old home of General Sam Houston.
County Judge John Durrenberger said it is not every day that the opportunity arises to look back and discover something hidden behind the walls of one of the county’s landmarks. He said this event serves as a reminder that today’s work will lay the foundation for the future.
Some of the other items in the capsule included old letters and notes, photographs, currency, a telephone directory, commissioners court meeting minutes, an advertising booklet for the Washington County Fair when it was still held at Fireman’s Park, and even kernels of corn. Some of the items were kept preserved inside a package encased in beeswax.
Durrenberger also shared a historical connection between the current day and 1939, as Precinct 1 Commissioner Misti Hartstack Corn’s great grandfather, A.W. Hartstack, was serving in that same role when the courthouse was being built.
(click to enlarge)
In attendance were several past county officials, who were acknowledged for their years of service. They were former County Judges Dorothy Morgan and John Brieden, former County Commissioners Donald Ray Ahrens and Joy Fuchs, former District Attorney Julie Renken and former County Clerk Beth Rothermel.
As part of the event, attendees signed their names onto papers and took a community group photo. The papers and photo will accompany other items that will go into another time capsule, which will go back into the courthouse at a future ceremony.
Plans are being discussed for how to display the items uncovered in the 1939 time capsule.
(Click to enlarge the photos seen below)
