Town History

Local History - Time Capsule

August 1967

"Swansea is a community with a long and proud history. Founded in 1667, it is one of the oldest communities in Massachusetts. If you were living in Swansea in 1967, you will recall that the citizens of Swansea united in a town-wide celebration of the 300th anniversary of its establishment. The celebration was a huge success which involved hundreds of residents of all ages in a variety of activities including a Costume Ball, dinner dances, the men in "The Brothers of the Brush" and the enforcers known as "The Keystone Kops," and the ladies in costumed "Tercentennial Belles." There was a golf tournament open to everyone interested, and the youth took part in block dances and the children's parade: the huge parade which included scores of floats, bands and marchers and the Swansea Spectacle, presented by a cast of scores of residents of all ages. The spectacle, which portrayed the development of Swansea, included the onset of the King Philip War which began in Swansea in 1675, was presented at the Covel estate on six nights followed by a nightly fireworks display. One of the activities of the celebration which brings it to mind at this time was the burial of a 'Time Capsule' on August 19, 1967 with the proviso that it be opened in the year 2000."

This photo appeared in the Fall River Herald News on Monday August 21st, 1967. The caption reads "Swansea Crowd surrounds time capsule buried Saturday on the grounds of the town hall."