28 JULY 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ
It was a day for the generations.
On June 2, Middletown residents
and readers came together for
the Middletown Public Library’s
centennial celebration.
Founded in June 1921, the
Middletown Township Public Library
hosted a two-part event of honoring
its past, present and future, that
included the unveiling of a time
capsule from 1971 and the introduction
of a new time capsule that
will be buried at the end of 2021
and opened again in 50 years.
the library grounds at 10 am. A
local and state dignitaries enjoyed
delicious sweet treats donated by
Nothing Bundt Cakes and Livoti’s
Old World Market as Library Director
Heather Andolsen and Library
Board President William R. Bucco
opened the 50-year old time capsule
and revealed its contents to attendees. The 1971 time capsule
included the following eclectic collection of items: a pack of Marlboro
cigarettes, copies of area newspapers and of Today’s Health and Time
an Ivory soap bar, sweet corn seeds and a list of 1971’s bestsellers.
Then, close to 300 residents, including a large group of children,
came out for the 4 pm party, which featured hard-to-resist free ice cream
and the chance to test their skills by running the “Middletown Public
Library Birthday Celebration” obstacle course. The attendees also visited
craft tables, explored a virtual museum and settled in for a special story
in the Story Walk. Finally, the families each took home their own “Dear
Future Me” DIY time capsule box.
So far, the 2021 time capsule includes: photos of some Middletown
Township departments, toilet paper, a cloth mask with the MTPL
logo, COVID-19 information from the CDC, letters from the library staff’s
children, MTPL annual report (including circulation statistics), a description
of Bridgerton, copies of the June 2 Asbury Park Press, NY Times,
program called Thriller Fest and the 100th Anniversary Announcement.
Visitors also couldn’t miss the new landscape design commemorating
the big anniversary. The red begonias surrounding the “100”
were donated by Molzon Landscape Nursery, and the rocks that were
used to make the “100” were donated by a patron.
“This is a very special year for our library,” Andolsen said. “For our
centennial, we want to look back at where we started while also appreciating
how far the library has come in 100 years.”
The centennial celebration will continue throughout the year with
a big list of centennial-themed events, programs and crafts. Activities
include time capsule crafts to create your own time capsule (available
for patron pick-up, while supplies last) and story time events where
younger children can celebrate the centennial with 1920s props and a
story. The list is still growing, so keep checking for more events on the
library’s social media channels.
Mayor Tony Perry said, “The Middletown Township Public Library
has been a staple in our community for decades and a beacon of light
eventful year we have all experienced, is truly an accomplishment. I
encourage our community to utilize our library’s diverse resources and
join me in celebrating its rich history.”
For more information, contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mtpl.
org, or visit mtpl.org. Middletown Township Public Library is located at
55 New Monmouth Rd. in Middletown.
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