LAKE RIDGE — Residents are going to get a look more than 30 years into the past with the opening of a buried time capsule.
The plaque noting the capsule buried at Tackett’s Mill Center, on May 29, 1969, states that day was the day Lake Ridge was established. Today, the neighborhood of homes and shops spans the five-mile distance of Old Bridge Road between Interstate 95 and Prince William Parkway
In 1985, a time capsule was buried inside the Old Mill at the Tacketts Mill Center, the first mixed-use development in Prince William County, pre-dating Potomac Mills mall. It is scheduled to be opened on May 29 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lake Ridge.
“The contents of this time capsule were designed to tell future generations about the life in Prince William County in the 1980’s and were suggested by the children of Prince William County,” so reads the brass inscription on the capsule.
Prince William County Occoquan District Supervisor Ruth Anderson will preside over the private opening, scheduled for 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. The contents of the time capsule will be displayed for the public at the Tackett’s Mill Lakeside on Saturday, June 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the center’s annual “SummerFest,” a family festival featuring live music, kids activities, and refreshments.
On its website, the Tackett’s Mill Center has been counting down the days until the capsule is opened.
Adam Hawkins, of Stafford, helped to make the capsule.
“I’d never done a time capsule before,” Hawkins said. “We were just a couple of construction guys following directions.” Rickey Rossett, the Center’s current facilities manager.
He is anxious to help Hawkins pry it open.
“It is buried in the ground,” Rossett said. “So, we just don’t know what we’ll find.”
Liz Guffey Milhiser, a former resident of Lake Ridge, is certain her family’s photo album will be inside.
“I actually won an essay contest when I was in 5th grade at Lake Ridge Elementary,” Milhiser said. “I thought the album would be a great way to show people about life in the 80’s in Prince William County.”
Officials at the Tacketts Mill Center are also curious about what will be found inside the time capsule. Anyone who has information about the Time Capsule is asked to email the center at [email protected].
Tacketts Mill Center is located at 2241 Old Bridge Road.
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