Members of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce were treated to lunch Wednesday afternoon as part of the 2018 Member Appreciation Cookout, but they also got a look at history as the Chamber sealed its 75th anniversary time capsule. 

Chamber Chair Susan Copeland named each of the contributors to the capsule, which were businesses and organizations that were able to fill a box with memorabilia from the past and present.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, and Copeland thanked all of the members who contribute and help make the Chamber strong.

“As we all know, the Chamber is only as strong as its membership and its volunteer base, and we are so fortunate in this chamber to have a strong membership base who truly embrace the spirit of volunteerism,” she said. “With your help, our chamber will continue to thrive and have a positive impact on our community.”

Chamber President Leah Bolin said it was a unique experience to think about the future and what those people will think about the past, and the time capsule will help those people get a better sense of what life was like for the people of Cullman County in 2018.

“The things that we put in the time capsule will tell others, and possibly our future selves, what was important to us and to history,” she said. “It will remind the next generation that we weren’t just people in pictures and newspapers, but we were people who lived and who cared about our community.”

After the presentation, the capsule was sealed with cement, steel and brick, and will now be a decorative fixture in the Chamber breezeway until March 2068, when the future members of the Chamber of Commerce open it to celebrate the Chamber’s 125th anniversary.

The businesses and organizations that contributed items to the capsule were:

All Steak Restaurant

American Proteins

Byars Wright

Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce

Cullman County Commission

Cullman County Economic Development

Cullman Economic Development Agency

Cullman County Library

Cullman County Museum

Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism

Cullman Regional

Cullman Regional Airport

Drinkard Development

Ed White

EvaBank

Mary Carter Stores

Steele Orchard

Wallace State Community College

Walmart Transportation

Willingham Salvage

The Town of Baileyton

The Town of Colony

The City of Cullman

The Town of Fairview

The Town of Garden City

The City of Good Hope

The City of Hanceville

The Town of Holly Pond

The Town of Vinemont

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.