Naperville time capsule contents revealed Oct. 26

Naperville has stumbled upon a gift from the past.

The city has discovered a time capsule believed to have been buried in Central Park near downtown in 1939 and its contents are still a mystery.

City, county and Naperville Heritage Society leaders will open the capsule at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St. The public is invited.

"They're looking forward to unsealing it and getting in there and seeing what the contents are and what the historical relevance is going to be," said Nadja Lalvani, community relations manager for Naperville.

She said it will be a glimpse at another era in Naperville's history and a chance to see what those residents found important.

Crews found the capsule last month while moving the plaque from the DuPage County centennial marker in Central Park for restoration.

The city believes the capsule was buried during the county's 100th anniversary celebration in September 1939. Naperville served as the county seat from 1839 until 1869 when Wheaton took over that designation.

The capsule is smaller than a bread box, according to Lalvani. Although everyone is curious as to what is inside, it is sealed with lead, so there's been no peeking. Lalvani said there are plenty of hopeful guesses floating around ranging from World War I bonds to a map for city founder Joseph Naper's hidden treasure.

"I think this is a gift from residents in 1939 to our current residents in 2009. ... Maybe they're reaching out from the past to give us some advice, how they got through their difficult times," Lalvani said.

The city council is scheduled to hold a tax levy workshop at 5 p.m. Monday, after the capsule opening. Naperville is facing a $14.1 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.