Construction workers unexpectedly discovered a time capsule in the cornerstone located at Clay County High School last Wednesday, September 2. The time capsule was placed in the cornerstone by the Masons from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia on September 26, 1970 when the ‘new’ high school was built following the fire that destroyed most of the building where Clay County Middle School is now located.
A special ceremony to open the time capsule has been scheduled for Saturday, September 26, exactly 50 years after it was placed in the cornerstone. The Masons from the WV Grand Lodge led by Grand Master David Holt will conduct the ritual at 1 p.m. in the CCHS gymnasium. The public is invited to attend and are reminded that CDC and WV COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Face masks will be required, and social distancing guidelines will be in effect.
The contractors were working on the WV School Building Authority Upgrade project at Clay County High School when they made their discovery. The cornerstone was located to the left of the main entrance which is currently being remodeled. The cornerstone included the names of the members of the board of education who were serving at that time. The list included: M. F. Butler, Board President, Otto Brown, Eugene Boggs, J. D. Morris, and David W. Pierson Sr.
The West Virginia Freemasons are a civic organization that has been serving WV since the 18th century. Their goal is to unite men of all backgrounds and make them better husbands, fathers, and citizens by encouraging and cultivating the masonic principles of friendship, morality, and brotherly love.
