June 20, 2024 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Time capsule buried on Juneteenth

Kye-buries-capsule — Kye Carter, a descendant of one of the founders of the Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church, helps bury the time capsule.

Concord Township buried a time capsule at the old Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church on Spring Valley Road Wednesday. This was a follow-up to the ribbon cutting at the church in February and coincided with the Juneteenth celebration, the day in 1865 when the former slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that they were now free and that slavery had ended.

“It’s a profound honor to recognize the importance of the Spring Valley AME Church in our community,” said Concord Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie. “Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth, we also commemorate the remarkable history embodied by this community gem through the burial of a time capsule.” (See Local AME Church restored for more background.)

Concord Township Council Co-Voice President John Gillespie addresses a small crown attending the ceremony.

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission provided the capsule to the township as part of an award for the township’s restoration of the church. Gillespie said the capsule contains photos, news articles, and a history of the restoration project that began when the township bought the property in 2014.

“These artifacts encapsulate the transformative journey we have embarked on together,” Gillespie said.

Shelby Weaver Splain, the education and special initiatives coordinator for the PHMC, said the awarding of the capsule was part of the Community Initiative Award for the township’s restoration and preservation of the church at 270 Spring Valley Road, something she called a “fantastic place.”

“This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of outstanding organization of municipalities, agencies and individuals whose work is advancing and expanding the definition of historic preservation,” she said.

Kye Carter, a descendant of a church founder also spoke.

“Today is Juneteenth, a very special and memorable milestone for the African American community. It is also the birthday of my great-great-great-great grandfather who was a co-founder of this church,” Carter said. “One of the artifacts included in the time capsule is a picture of the five generations that are alive from his descendants.” (She added that the photograph also includes in it a painting of her ancestor done by Andrew Wyeth.)

Carter said she grew up with the legacy and a family motto. “Talent may be good, but attitude and hard work make you succeed.

“What we hope for from our family and pray, is that when this capsule is re-opened it finds generational wealth based on the foundation of our ancestors.”

The capsule will remain buried for 25 years.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

Time capsule buried on Juneteenth Read More »

Around Town June 20

Election 2020 results, Delaware anticipation — Students and staff from Christina Cultural Arts Center will perform in Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12.

• Dance to the beat of your own drum while students and staff from Christina Cultural Arts Center showcase their talents in Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12. Create and express yourself with family-friendly activities as you unwind from the week and enjoy a variety of live dance, voice, and musical performances. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Included with garden admission. The event is included with garden admission. Tickets for adults are $15 and are available here.

• On Monday, June 24, the Chadds Ford Township Residents Association will honor its chosen Business of the Year. The Award is given to businesses that have created a strong sense of community within the township, supported its residents through volunteer activities or helped retain the township’s unique historical quality and rural character. The identity of this year’s winner is secret until then. The event will be held in the municipal building at 7 p.m.

An African Marketplace comes to Kennett Square this Saturday.

• This Saturday, June 22, The Creamery of Kennett Square will host an African Marketplace from noon to 6 p.m. The Marketplace will spotlight black entrepreneurs, artisans, and creators. This event is part of the roster of events planned by the 2024 Kennett Square Juneteenth Planning Committee. The Creamery of Kennett Square is located at 401 Birch Street.

• City Theatre Company and Fearless Improv are again offering a Kids Summer Improv Camp from July 8-12, and registration is now open. The price for the camp is $250. This weeklong camp teaches ages 11-14 critical skills of teamwork, self-confidence, out-of-the-box thinking, and creativity. The deadline to register is June 30. Register here. If you know a child who might want to join the camp, and/or also may need some financial assistance, please email citytheatercompany@gmail.com with the subject line, “CAMP HELP.”

• Longwood Gardens will host The Brandywiners — a not-for-profit ARTS organization established in 1932 — when it presents Seussical, an experience sure to be fun for the whole family. Narrated by the ever-popular Cat in the Hat, Seussical tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos. Performances are Wednesday, July 24–Saturday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $33 and are available here.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/