A highlight of Saturday’s pride day was the burial of a time capsule in front of the historic rock near the Albion Municipal Library — to be dug up and opened in 50 years. In it contains documents pertaining to the history of the Albion Public School, which was demolished in December 2018. In addition, school letters were enclosed, plus information about this year’s Albion Pride Day.

Folks in attendance got to sign the official time capsule forms, which were laminated as pages filled with signatures, to preserve them for half a century into the future.

“We had two different generations tell us there was a time capsule in the school, and we looked and didn’t find one, so we decided to do a time capsule about the school,” coordinator Janell Walker said. “The idea came from Facebook discussions, and I thought it would be a good memory.”

The Albion Public School (which served K-12) was constructed in 1915, with the last high school graduating class passing through its doors in the spring of 1962. Walker noted that from the fall of 1962 until 1981, the school was consolidated with Marshalltown students and operated solely as an elementary school. It then later became the community center, which is used for various social gatherings and events. Funds are being raised for the construction of a new facility.

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ - Saturday’s Albion Pride Day celebrated the Pearl of the Prairie’s rich history.

“It’s kind of neat to be a part of the history of Albion. I graduated in 1963, which was in Marshalltown. It’s sad we couldn’t find the time capsule that was buried before,” Gary Shirk said.

Jean Whitmore went to school in Albion from fourth through tenth grade.

“It was really sad to lose our school. Maybe (this time capsule) will tie our community back together, because after your school leaves, it’s hard to keep a community going,” she said. “My family’s farm was consolidated into Marshalltown, so I graduated from Marshalltown in ’57. My heart was in Albion and I spent a lot of time here.”

In addition to a time capsule, a copy of a book of poems written by students is being donated to the Albion library.

“Inez Black taught sixth grade and the poems are from the late 60s to the mid 70s that she saved and then copied them (for the book),” Walker said.

Ornaments, mugs, bricks and salvaged and repurposed items from the school were offered for sale.

Albion Pride Day kicked off with a Pride Day Color Run, followed by a Kiddie/Pet Parade. A vendor craft show, games, including a giant piñata, food trucks and more were offered.