Committee formed to put together Longview sesquicentennial time capsule

Preparing a time capsule is more than simply putting a box in the ground.

Therefore, the Longview Historic Preservation Commission created a three-person panel Tuesday to properly prepare a commemorative time capsule for the city’s sesquicentennial in 2020.

The Historic Preservation Commission and the Gregg County Historical Commission have been asked by Longview 150 organizers to jointly create a capsule filled with items that can be preserved underground for 50 years. Commissioners also must plan fundraising for the capsule, the location where it will be placed and a ceremony for the capsule’s burial.

Historic Preservation Commission members Jim Cogar, Cherry Sikes and Andy Khoury were appointed to the subcommittee.

City Community Services Director Laura Hill asked commissioners in the fall to work with the Gregg County Historical Commission on preparing a time capsule as part of the Longview 150 sesquicentennial celebration, planned for the first half of 2020.

Cogar said he already has started some early planning for the capsule. On Tuesday, he provided information from two companies that manufacture time capsules, telling commissioners that it hasn’t been decided what will be put into the capsule, how large it will be or the capsule’s price, which can range from less than $100 to more than $1,000.

Cogar suggested the group work with a company, because a professional capsule will be necessary to properly preserve its contents.

“These people guarantee the work,” he said.

City Planner Angela Choy added that the group will need to plan a ceremony for the time capsule’s burial, including a speaker and whether to hire a band.

Longview 150 organizers will meet to discuss the celebration at 2 p.m. April 17 at City Hall.