'Time capsule children' chosen for museum's centennial

It’s never too early to look ahead.

Even for an historical museum.

That’s especially true of the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner. Staff announced the names of the children to assist in opening its 100th anniversary time capsule in 2069 at the reception and program re-filling and re-entombing the box March 28.

The Museum, on top of Fourth Street, was built in 1968. A time capsule was placed in its cornerstone in 1969. That time capsule has been replaced in the Museum’s west wall, not to be touched for 50 more years.

“As our charter members before us,” Museum Director Jo Wolfe explained, “we have chosen ‘children’ of now to open the time capsule in the future. We carefully chose these descendants, who represent families of this community who have supported Skagit history and Skagit Valley as a whole for generations.”

Those selected and whose names were announced to the 75 people attending that evening are:

• Finn Polaris Halterman, one-year-old child of Brennan and Annah (Summers) Halterman, grandchild of Kevin and Barbara Summers, and great-great-great grandchild of Skagit Pioneer Henry Summers, and nephew of 2018 Pioneer President Karen Summers, present curator of the Skagit County Historical Museum;

• Maya Jaye Masonholder, 16-year-old grandchild of Doug and Dixie (Maloy) Otis, child of Brian and Megan (Otis) Masonholder, and great-grandchild of Don and Eva (Summers) Maloy. The late Dixie Otis was a Museum Board and Pioneer Association member, as well as a beloved local educator and civic leader;

• Ian Joseph McCormick, 14-year-old child of Bryan and Allyson McCormick and grandchild of John and Toni Christianson and Darrell McCormick and Jacque Jensen. The Christiansons purchased this honor at the Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration and chose Ian, their oldest grandchild. Darrell McCormick was a “Time Capsule Kid” for the opening of the capsule in December;

• Savannah Rose Rice, one-year-old child of Stanley and Meghan (Dunlap) Rice and grandchild of James L. and Karen Dunlap. George and Clarence Dunlap were charter members of the Museum, and were older half-brothers to Savannah’s great-grandfather, James Dunlap. “The Dunlaps,” said Wolfe, “have provided invaluable contributions to Skagit industry and the community.”

• Liam Scott Roozen, 11-month-old child of Alexander and Sara Roozen, grandchild of Michael and Anita (Hernandez) Roozen, and great-grandchild of Morris and Mercedes Hernandez and William and Helen Roozen. Liam’s selection, said Wolfe, was in honor of the diverse contributions the Hernandez and Roozen families have made to make Skagit county a vibrant community;

• Sophia Olivia Royal, six-year-old child of Jonathan and Katelyn (Kessler) Royal and grandchild of Dan Royal, president of the Skagit County Pioneer Association and vice-president of the Museum board of directors. The family has made vital contributions to Skagit County history for over four generations;

• Hadley Anne Shears, 14-year-old child of Cory and Jennifer (Ferari) Shears and grandchild of Myo and William Shears. Hadley was chosen, Wolfe said, based on her invaluable contributions as an after-school Museum volunteer;

• Rory Dallas Vanderpool, seven-year-old child of Ria Peth and Shelby Vanderpool, grandchild of Dan and Rondi Peth, and great-grandchild of Wick and Dorothy Peth. In continuing with Museum tradition, Liza Peth Bott was a “Time Capsule Kid” when the 1969 capsule was opened; and

• Blakely Elaine Mari Broadhead, one-year-old grand-child of Kimberly Broadhead. Tom Lloyd purchased the honor at the Museum’s Golden Anniversary celebration.

“It’s our pleasure,” Wolfe said Thursday, “to honor these families in this way and we thank them for their continued support of the Museum for future generations to come.”