Potowomut alumni concerned by outcome of ‘treasured’ time capsules

Posted 11/21/13

Potowomut School once earned a name as “Warwick’s hidden treasure.” Now that the school is being demolished, some alumni are wondering what’s become of the “treasure” they buried on …

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Potowomut alumni concerned by outcome of ‘treasured’ time capsules

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Potowomut School once earned a name as “Warwick’s hidden treasure.” Now that the school is being demolished, some alumni are wondering what’s become of the “treasure” they buried on school grounds.

The simple answer is that the time capsules, as many as five of them, are right where they were left those many years ago.

“We’re leaving them right where they are until we make a determination of what to do,” Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong said yesterday.

He said the capsules are buried beside the flagpole and that area of the property hasn’t been disturbed yet. Concern over the capsules took on a life of its own when pictures of the school demolition were posted on the Internet. The news quickly spread as Potowomut alumni across the country picked it up on Facebook.

Joseph Rochira, who was a student in 1976 when a capsule was buried in celebration of the Bicentennial, said he’s heard from a number of his classmates. In an effort to answer questions, he called the school superintendent and later got a call back saying the Fire Chief had the capsule.

Rochira still lives in Potowomut and went on to get his degree from Bryant University. He works as a CPA for US Trust. He believes Mary Pendergast was the class teacher at the time and he remembers placing a pencil in the capsule, as well as signing his name. Should there be an opening of the capsule, he would like to do it at a class reunion.

Armstrong saw no reason why that couldn’t happen, but he’s not making any promises. He said crews “would take their time” to dig up the capsules. He said, in addition to school time capsules, he believes Boy Scouts have also buried a capsule at the school.

Armstrong expects the demolition to be completed by next week but the capsules will stay.

The site will become the home for a 2-bay fire station. Apparatus and personnel currently stationed elsewhere in the city will be assigned to the new station, thereby enabling the city to end its contract for coverage with East Greenwich for a savings of about $350,000.

Armstrong said he hopes plans for the station will be finalized by the first of the year and that a contract can be awarded by next March. A $2 million bond is funding the project.

Armstrong said the station should be open by this time next year.

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