Media Release
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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Capsule Discovered in Central Park During Removal of DuPage Centennial Marker
NAPERVILLE, Ill.— Mayor A. George Pradel, Naperville City Council, DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom and the Naperville Heritage Society are pleased to invite the public to attend the unsealing and opening of a 1939 time capsule at 4 p.m. on Monday, October 26 in Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Earlier this summer, the plaque from the DuPage Centennial Marker in Central Park was removed for cleaning and restoration purposes as part of a larger project to conserve four monuments in Central Park. Funded through the City of Naperville’s Special Events and Cultural Amenities grant program, the other three monuments are the Civil War cannon, the Soldiers and Sailors monument and the Naperville Centennial Marker.
When the Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio team removed the DuPage Centennial bronze plaque from the granite stone, a time capsule was revealed. The capsule is believed to have been placed behind the bronze plaque at the marker’s dedication in September 1939 honoring the county’s 100th anniversary. Central Park was the chosen location for the monument in 1939 as the county’s first courthouse and county business were conducted there – Naperville originally served as the county seat when DuPage County was formed in 1839 in part due to Joseph Naper’s efforts. In 1869, after numerous votes, Wheaton became the official county seat and has served in that capacity through today.
“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to open this time capsule,” Mayor A. George Pradel said. “This is a rare and exciting opportunity to see firsthand what items defined the people of DuPage County in 1939. I anticipate several wonderful surprises that will allow us to better understand Naperville’s history, as well as the rich and storied history of DuPage County. I encourage you all to come and be surprised.”
“The Naperville Heritage Society is pleased to be a part of this unique opportunity,” Naperville Heritage Society Executive Director Peggy Frank said. “The items that are discovered in the capsule will continue to be carefully preserved by the city through its stewards at Naper Settlement so future generations have the chance to view this first-hand account of what life was like for their ancestors.”
For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville’s projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.
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About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several city boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned living history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.naperville.il.us.
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