A time capsule installed behind the cornerstone at the Hoquiam High School campus a half-century ago will be opened Friday on the 50th anniversary of the day it was placed, and the public is invited.

“Hoquiam Class of 1969 graduates who are approaching their 50-year reunion met with Hoquiam principal Brock Maxfield to map out a plan to open the time capsule,” said Denise Burke of Hoquiam, representing the Class of 1969. “A time capsule opening ceremony is planned for Friday, November 9, 2018 — fifty years to the date of when it was sealed.”

The capsule was placed behind the cornerstone of the then-new Hoquiam High School $3.5 million campus by members of the local Masonic Lodge, said Burke.

The capsule is said to include local newspapers, coins, lists of names of school officials and the first graduating class.

“Classmates spent the last weeks refreshing their memories through The Daily World newspaper stories highlighting the opening of the new school and were reminded of the great commitment Hoquiam voters made when the school was built,” said Burke.

The process of building the high school actually began in March of 1964 when an 80-member citizen committee was formed to advise the school board on matters pertaining to the school, according to Burke. The last hurdle was cleared in January 1967 with passage of a levy.

The organizing committee visited 30 schools in Washington and Oregon before selecting the final design, said Burke. Site selection for the school was narrowed to west Hoquiam from three choices; the other two in north Hoquiam and one by Olympic Stadium. It took two special levies and two bond issues to realize the goal, but the dream of a new school was finally realized with an official dedication ceremony that took place Nov. 11, 1968, with more than 3,000 in attendance.

The time capsule ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. Members of the class of 1969 will open the time capsule at about 1:45 p.m., then proceed to the gym to join the Hoquiam student body in a celebration commemorating school’s 50th year, said Burke. The public is invited to attend.