Photos from a 2019 time capsule unveiling event at the former IRS site. The time capsule was placed behind the Cornerstone of the IRS building when the building was dedicated in 1966.
City partnering with library, LINK nky for submittal event
in April for Central Riverfront ‘burial’ in May
COVINGTON, Ky. – Fifty years from now, Covingtonians will gather at the Covington Central Riverfront neighborhood for the opening of a time capsule that will be installed this May within the wall of a new promenade on Russell Street.
But what those leaders find in 2075 is largely up to you.
The “Fill a Time Capsule” submittal event happens Saturday, April 12, in front of the Latonia Branch of the Kenton County Public Library, and the City wants all Covington citizens to have an opportunity to submit items for consideration.
“We want to offer every resident, business, and organization in Covington the opportunity to let future generations know what life was like in The Cov in 2025,” said Covington Economic Development Director Tom West. “Even though the time capsule is just a small box, we have come up with a way for all 40,000 Covingtonians to get inside for the 50-year journey to the future.”
The City is partnering with the Kenton County Public Library and LINK nky media for the event, which will be what West describes as “a mashup of the PBS Antiques Roadshow and speed dating,” with former WCPO anchor Evan Millward as its host.
It happens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
LINK nky has asked Norse Media students from Northern Kentucky University to record a video of residents as, one-by-one, they give a 10- to 15-second explanation of why they’d like their item included. For LINK nky, it’s an opportunity to capture the memories of Covington residents.
"Our job is to tell the story of the Northern Kentucky community, and this will be a really fun way to preserve those stories for future generations,” said Lacy Starling, president and CEO of LINK nky.
The capsule’s dimensions (20 inches by 16.2 inches by 16 inches) won’t allow every item to be included. But Norse Media students will edit the video of the submittal pitches from Saturday’s event into a video file and store it on a flash drive to be placed inside the time capsule. Hence, to West’s point, in some capacity all submitted items will be included, even if only via the video pitch.
Kenton County Public Library executive director Dave Schroeder said the library is proud to play a role in the project.
“This time capsule will not only provide a snapshot of Covington in 2025 but will also highlight the rich culture and innovation of the community’s people - the heart and soul of Covington,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder and staff from the library’s Local History and Genealogy Department, and Covington First Lady Angela Washington, wife of Mayor Ron Washington, will curate selected items from the submittal event to go into the capsule.
Washington said she looks forward to helping select memorable items from the residents of the city that her husband so loves.
“I am not from Covington but have learned a great deal about the city because my husband is, and he loves it so much,” said Washington. “I am excited to assist with putting the time capsule together and love that the current residents will help decide what will go in it. It’s so thrilling to think about residents 50 years from now opening the time capsule and literally touching our generation! I am eager to see what Covingtonians recommend.”
Contents will be finalized by April 30 in time for the time capsule dedication on Tuesday, May 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the corner of Russell Street and Stewart Alley at the Covington Central Riverfront. The dedication will follow the presentation of the City’s annual Authenti-CITY and Historic Preservation Awards.
“In 50 years, we don’t want this to be like Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone’s vault: empty!,” West said. “We want The Cov to come forward with all kinds of things they think will interest people in the future.”
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