Although the time capsule does not contain any valuables, it does carry bits and pieces about this Penobscot County town — from a package of candy to a letter to the people from Rick Whitney, president of the Dexter Historical Society, wishing those who attend the celebration in 2051 success and good health.

The capsule will be buried at a secret location in the next few weeks, it is hoped. The location, however, will be noted in the society’s records.

The capsule is one of many projects being under taken by the historical society this summer.

Whitney said Friday that the historical society had one of its best years for attendance at the museum.

More than 1,500 people visited the exhibits. In fact, more than 600 visited the museum during Dexter’s bicentennial celebration last month, and 400 people visited the society’s art exhibit in the Abbott Mill building.

Fund-raising activities help support the operation of the museum. These include the sale of bicentennial quilts, calendars and bicentennial coins. The first order of quilts has been sold, and the society has ordered 50 more that will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. A quilt can be reserved by calling 924-5721.

There are still 45 token sets of coins left of the original 150 that were for sale, according to Whitney. These can be purchased at the museum.

New calendars will be out soon that depict the town’s various garages, auto dealers and filing stations, both past and present.

In addition, painted wooden blocks featuring the Morrison building and the former N.H. Fay High School now are on sale. These items are painted from hand-painted originals.

To prepare the Abbott Mill building for displays, a workday will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 15. Anyone interested in helping should just show up.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. After Labor Day, the museum will be open 1-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The latest artifact the museum has acquired is the original time clock used at the Abbott Mill, donated by Guilford of Maine.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Monday, August 27, 2001 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."