Time Capsule Yields 100 Years of Northport History

Surrounded by artifacts from the Northport school district’s history, students and educators unveiled a 100-year-old time capsule Thursday night.

The time capsule, buried in February 1924 at what is now known as the  William J. Brosnan Building, contained a variety of documents, including what appeared to be a yearbook, a pennant bearing the name of Northport, a 48-star American flag and newspapers. Sitting out on tables of the packed room were artifacts assembled by members of the school’s History Honor Society, who pulled together old uniforms, books, photos and other items relevant to the building that was once known as the Laurel Avenue School.

Students detailed the hunt for the time capsule after someone noted its existence; on display was a photo showing its burial in 1924.

Northport Historical Society Executive Director Teresa Reid then presented the
district with the Century Award, recognizing the building’s 100th anniversary.

“Tonight, we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of this William J. Brosnan
Building,” Northport High School junior Oliver Kotowicz said. “Over these 100 years, this
building has served many purposes, from being a middle school, a high school and the
school we gather in here tonight, to celebrate not only its centennial, but also all of the
history that this building embodies.”

The time capsule was then opened by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dave Moyer,
Board of Education President Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli and Board of Education trustee Carol
Taylor.

Several jokes were made related to the age of the item, such as a claim that the newspaper the Northport Journal, bore a byline by Northport Observer editor Dave Ambro, and that Licopoli’s name was on one of the class lists.

“A special thanks to all of the people who put in all of the hard work to make this
happen, especially our students who always do a great job and rise to the top when they
work on a project,” Moyer said. “Thank you to the community because the school is the community, it is all intertwined, and the fact that so many people came out to experience this together speaks volumes for who we are as a community.”

opening a 100-year-old time capsule which was found
within the building. Students will be displaying other items from
the district’s history over the last 100 years.