On Friday April 20, 2001, citizens of
Colorado Springs gathered to place
letters, photographs, brochures, booklets, CD’s,
videos, a DVD, a telephone
book and miscellaneous other items and documents in
the Century Chest.
The resealing ceremony
included a welcome by Colorado College President
Kathryn Mohrman followed
by remarks by local historian Mary
Jane Rust. A
group of youngsters from the Colorado College Children’s
Center sang
“America the Beautiful”.
They might just be around in 2101!
The contents
of the 2001 Chest were placed in acid free envelopes
and archival
boxes. Approximately 125 individuals, families, clubs,
organizations, businesses,
military installations and groups representing a wide
range of the Colorado
Springs population contributed to the Century Chest.
The 100 year old lead lined steel chest
was refilled and hot rivets
were placed
in the same holes that had been used before. Gentlemen
from the Rock Ledge
Ranch Historic Site, who had opened the Chest almost
four months before,
sealed the Chest at the end of the ceremony. The new
plaque on the side
instructs the Citizens of Colorado Springs to open the
Century Chest after
midnight on December 31, 2100.
Ginny Kiefer
April 2001
