New time capsule commissioned in Richmond

RICHMOND -- You couldn’t live without one.

In 2026, cell phones were a necessary evil that no one left home without. They were used for talking, texting, taking pictures, even travel directions in place of good, old paper maps.

John Jones, president of the Richmond Historical Society, mentioned that to the crowd on hand for the annual Quaker Day festival Saturday as he placed that piece of technology in a time capsule that another generation will examine 50 years from now.

The cell phone is in the company of various items placed in the time capsule dedicated in honor of the Crew House’s 200th anniversary this year. The building is home to the historical society’s museum located at 34 W. Main St., Richmond, and the vicinity in which the festival was held.

Quaker Day featured live music, food, vendors and an opportunity for visitors to browse through the house turned museum that was built in 1825-26 by Henry Crew, a native of Virginia who came to Richmond in 1814. For $85, Crew purchased the lot on which the museum of today sits from Joseph Talbott on Oct. 21, 1817, and constructed a homestead that housed four generations of the Crew family.

“Today we’re commissioning the new time capsule that will be opened in 2026,” Jones said.

That inventory included Herald-Star articles relevant to historical society news in 2026; special 2026 coins, among them pennies given the U.S. Mint has stopped producing them; photos of Richmond street scenes, homes, businesses and its youngest and oldest residents; an ornament, pin and decal marking the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026; a 2026 commemorative coin of the NFL draft held in Pittsburgh; a Crew House button; a newborn’s clothing outfit; a 50th reunion photo from Jefferson Union High School’s Class of 1976 held Aug. 8, 2026; 1776-2026 U.S. Forever postal stamps; and three autographed copies of books written by Richmond resident Joan Farchione McGlone - “The House on Seventh Street,” “The Paperboy from Eighth Street” and “The Elves Who Saved Christmas.”

“We took a lot of special care in putting it together for folks,” Jones said after the informal ceremony. “To have books from our local talent and various momentos of the people who lived around the community who donated to put in it, the work that folks did to compile the photo albums -- very good work -- some nice stuff is in here,” he said.

“I suppose people will wonder about us in 50 years. Some of these children around here will be here in 50 years to open it up and remember us, so that’s what we’re hoping,” Jones said.

While this year marks the bicentennial of the Crew House, the historical society marked its 50th anniversary in 2025. The nonprofit, chartered on Jan. 20, 1975, was organized to gather Richmond historical information, to restore and maintain historic objects and places, to establish a museum and to gather and maintain the community’s historical heritage for future generations.

In addition to organizing Richmond’s Memorial Day parade and hosting the Quaker Day celebration, it has summer open houses. Aside from Jones, officers are Marge Andres, vice president; Sandy Judy, secretary; and Wendy Byers, treasurer.

In the family name for 146 years and sold 11 times among Crew family members, the Crew House was last occupied by Evelyn “Eppie” Crew, great-granddaughter of Henry and Margaret Crew. She lived there until her death in 1972. It was then willed to George Lobmiller, a Richmond pharmacist whose intentions to construct a parking lot there became the springboard for historical society interest to have the building preserved as a local landmark.

Richmond in 1815 was primarily a Quaker settlement against slavery. The Crew house was a stop on the Underground Railroad, instrumental in helping many runaway slaves on the road to Canada and freedom.

The historical society, in cooperation with the village, was able to preserve the building through a grant from HUD and with volunteer help. Contributions of antiques and memorabilia came from community donations. An open house held on Memorial Day in May 1979 celebrated the completion of renovations to the Crew House.

The historical society owns the museum contents and works in partnership with the Village of Richmond, which owns the building.

Anyone is welcome to attend historical society meetings or become a member. Annual dues are $5. A lifetime membership is $50. The historical society’s next meeting is set for Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Crew House Museum.

For overall information, call Sandy Judy at (740) 765-4534. The website is crewhouse.weebly.com.