FOLEY, Ala. — A time capsule that was sealed during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 was opened Nov. 6 as part of Baldwin County’s Bicentennial celebration.

Approximately 50 people were on hand to see the capsule opened at Foley Civic Center.

Bonnie Donaldson of the Foley Museum Archives and Railroad Park said the capsule had been X-rayed.

“We didn’t have the surprise Gulf Shores did with their time capsule. There was nothing in it,” Donaldson said this week.

Among the items in the time capsule, which has been in the safe at Foley City Hall since 1976, were letters and newspaper clippings. The letters were addressed to area families and individuals from other family members or associates.

An account of a 1906 shipwreck was written by Palmer (Buddy) Galloway. The sole survivor of the shipwreck was his father, John. Buddy Galloway’s mother was 83 in 1976, Donaldson said.

A guest book and pen from the opening day of the Foley Civic Center was in the capsule, as were several items from the Foley Public Library, including a picture of the old library.

Certificate-like money was placed in the capsule by John and Ruby Haupt of Elberta. The “money” was used at the State Bank of Elberta during the Great Depression. The bank was one of the few in the area that didn’t go under during the depression.

“I think the Baldwin County (U.S.) Bicentennial Committee offered an invitation for people to put things in the capsule and this is it I’m assuming,” Donaldson said of the items taken out of the time capsule.