SYLACAUGA — People see examples of history, from buildings to books to traditions, every day but it is rare when people can witness or participate in an event of historical value.

Residents have a chance to see history in action when the Sylacauga Historical Society buries a time capsule to be opened 50 years from now in 2059. The burial of the capsule will take place at the Municipal Complex on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m.

Earl Lewis, president of the Historical Society, said society members and others interested in participating are in the process of preparing items to be included in the capsule.

A variety of items, such as DVDs of local landmarks, city officials, industrial facilities and businesses, are to be included in the capsule. In addition, there will be copies of Sylacauga Magazine, telephone directories, school yearbooks and photographs of officers and employees of various clubs, organizations and businesses.

Lewis said the organizing committee needs the help of the public in securing some of the items to be included. Each local church is asked to supply a current church directory, and all civic clubs, garden clubs and other similar organizations are urged to supply membership rolls and histories of their organizations.

These items may be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce on Ft. Williams Street no later than Friday, Dec. 11.

Local citizens or organizations with suggestions concerning things to be included in the time capsule may contact Lewis for more information.

The time capsule committee will have a planning session at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at the B.B. Comer Library. Interested citizens are welcome to attend and become involved, even if they are not members of the committee.

The city incorporated in 1834. The year 2059 would be Sylacauga’s 225th year in existence.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, about 150 people gathered at the municipal complex to see the opening of the time capsule buried during the city’s 125th birthday celebration on May 12, 1959.

Some of the items found inside the 1959 capsule included a Morrie Martin Cleveland Indians baseball card; a ticket to a Birmingham Barons game; a program from the 125th anniversary celebration; issues of both The Sylacauga News and The Avondale Sun; fabric created at Avondale Mills; information about the Alabama Power Company; old Kiwanis Club, First Presbyterian Church and Mignon Baptist Church newsletters; a framed foil-art picture; lists of officers from local civic organizations; drawings and arts and crafts from local children, including students from East Highland School; and a 4-cent Abraham Lincoln postage stamp.

The box was buried 48 to 50 inches into the ground and had to be lifted out by a crane operated by employees of the city’s Street Department.

The items were taken into the fire station to be laid out on tables for people to look at more closely after the end of the opening ceremony.