Leetonia carries on time capsule idea with new container

LEETONIA, Ohio (WKBN) – A treasure found from the past is the inspiration behind a treasure for future people in Leetonia.

“It’s always said that we learn from our past,” said Joseph Bleacher, co-owner and president of Legacy Christian Home Care.

It was with this idea that was in mind when a time capsule was buried Monday at the splash pad in Leetonia. It was inspired by one that was found two years ago in a former church, which now houses Legacy Christian Home Care. The box in the time capsule was labeled and dated back to June 10, 1887.

“The plan was to rebury it on the same day because what they left for us we want to leave for the next generation 100 years from now. It’s just a full circle, wonderful stuff,” Bleacher said.

Rachel Jack, co-owner of Legacy Christian Home Care, said it’s like stepping back in time.

“And touching pieces of the history of our community and learning a little bit about the people that were in this town way back when,” she said.

Leetonia Mayor Kevin Siembida hopes the new time capsule demonstrates and carries on the tradition of what Leetonia has achieved.

The village and Legacy Christian Home Care are spearheading the effort, collecting letters, pictures and mementos from residents.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to capture what’s going on in the world now. We want to emphasize there’s things that are always going to be going on. There’s a lot of turmoil going on right now, a lot of things being said — it’s going to be alright. We’re going to be moving on, and the world’s still going to spin,” Siembida said.

These little bits of history serve as a snapshot of the current generation to educate future Leetonians.

“People are the most important part of our community and 100 years from now, things will change. Technology is going to change, there’s not going to be iPhones around in 100 years. How we move and carry out our daily lives is going to be completely different, but people will be the same,” Siembida said.

Verizon in Salem donated an iPhone for the time capsule, and Logue Monument Company, also out of Salem, donated the time capsule stone.

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