Saved from the demolition of the old Romeo Middle School on Prospect Street, was an unadorned sealed copper box "time capsule." It had been removed from the cornerstone of the 1927 building addition. Not only do the contents include documents and items from 1927, but also from the original 1885 high school building that stood on the same spot before it was demolished in 1966 to make way for another addition.
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| 1927 Time Capsule and some of the contents |
Among the many treasures are records of classes with student names and grades from around 1926 and 1927, two toy cars, and handmade miniature yarn dolls. Also included is a map of Macomb County from 1926.
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| Student record books, and a letter with recommendations from a woman seeking a vacant teaching post. |
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| "Dedicatory Exercises at the Opening of New High School Building, Romeo, Michigan; September 4th, 1885" |
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| A three-cent "nickel" silver coin, circa 1869 |
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| The earliest document, dated May 16, 1839, and signed by Asahel Bailey, a founding pioneer of Romeo |
Here is an illustration from The Romeo Observer newspaper that shows the 1927 addition with the original 1885 building to the left.
If you are interested in seeing the contents of the collection, please contact the Archives at rca@romeodistrictlibrary.org or call ahead (586) 690-4890 to make sure staff will be available to assist you.
Thank you to the Romeo Community Schools, especially Todd Robinson, Superintendent; and Don Gratton, Executive Director of Operations; for donating this historically important collection to the Romeo Community Archives. "Preserving Romeo's Past for Future Generations..."