Time Capsule
Back on November 10, 1974, this iconic photo was taken of Professor Emeritus John Cronin at the dedication of the Marple Campus. He was a faculty representative at the time who was accompanied in the ceremony by Michael McElroy, president of student government, and Donald Jones, chairman of the Board of Trustees. Presiding over the ceremony was Dr. Douglas Libby, the College’s first president.
Watch the video of this historic event.
What is interesting about this 1974 event is the 1973 date on the cornerstone. Because of litigation with Marple Township over zoning, the opening of the campus was delayed. The correct cornerstone was inserted days later without ceremony.
The other interesting thing, evident from the video, is that a time capsule was inserted behind the cornerstone during the dedication. Over time, it seems to have been forgotten, even by John Cronin. A student writing for the Communitarian in the November 15, 1974 issue mentioned a “predicted packet of memorabilia sealed up in a cornerstone and placed for who-knows-how-long-an-eternity in a masonry wall.” We didn’t have to wait an eternity. Fortunately, Nancy Brooks, an early staff member, now retired, assured the College that there was a time capsule behind the cornerstone when there was no written evidence of it, except for the above reference in an archived publication. Based on Nancy’s assurance, Tony DeLuca authorized his staff to break into the wall behind the cornerstone. Indeed, there was a time capsule waiting to be uncovered.
In February, we invited John Cronin to return to campus and assist Dr. Jerry Parker in a staged retrieval of the time capsule (see photos above). Upon opening, the contents were revealed:
- Video cartridge of the dedication event – watch it now!
- Flyer with schedule of events and exhibits for Dedication Week, November 7-10, 1974
- Dedication bookletNovember 10, 1974 issue of The Sunday Bulletin, the date of dedication.
- Six College Bulletins – 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1974-75
- 1974 issue of Pegasus
- Campus Directory (map)
- Separate brochures on careers in arts and entertainment, science, business, business management, technology and service.
- 1974-75 Student Handbook
- Class schedules for fall 1974 for Marple, Ridley H.S., Upper Darby H.S. and Garnet Valley H.S. Campuses.
- 1974-75 Speaker’s Bureau brochure
- 1974-75 Program and Course Guide
- Marketing brochure, “Find Yourself”
- General brochure, “A College for the People”
- October 8, 1974 issue of Communitarian
- 8 x 10 Photograph of the Main House on the property, also known as the Stull House
- 8 x 10 Photograph of the Dante Campus
- Commemorative newspaper, Delaware County Community College…A College on the Move
- October 1974 issue of News and Notes, a monthly publication of the Delaware County Community College Association of Higher Education, PSEA, NEA. Editor, Al deProspero
- Spring 1974, Genesis Magazine, a new publication that replaced Collage, the only yearbooks produced in 1969, 1970 and 1971. Genesis was a collection of personal essays by students who could “say something worth saying,” rather than the “photographic portraits and ill-conceived and executed art work” of yearbooks. Al DeProspero, faculty advisor.
Now, it’s your turn. What would you put in the time capsule to be buried on September 23, 2017 at the College’s Homecoming event? Please submit your ideas here.
