Preston School District time capsule, 1913-1914

Jefferson Middle School was designed by Joseph H. Monson of the architectural firm Monson and Price of Salt Lake City, Utah. On January 7, 1914, a time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the school as part of a dedication ceremony. An Edison wax cylinder was used to record the ceremony and placed in the capsule. Voices recorded on the cylinder are those of Jacob N. Larson, mayor of Preston and clerk of the school board, J. W. Condie, principal of the school, and Joseph H. Monson. Textbooks, photographs, writing implements, and samples of students' work were also placed in the capsule, which was removed during demolition of the school in 1997. The time capsule was opened during the dedication ceremonies of the new Preston Middle School August 21, 1997; much of the contents were reproduced and published in a special issue of the Preston Citizen October 15, 1997.