Emily Griffith Time Capsule Reveals Past, Future Efforts
By Joel Hillan
DENVER (CBS4)- One hundred years ago on Sept. 9, Emily Griffith Technical College officially opened its doors. Since then, they boast having provided vocational and other training to some two million students.
With the help of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, the Executive Director of Emily Griffith Technical College Jeff Barratt opened the time capsule, filled and sealed in 1955.
It was supposed to be opened in 1995, but we are finally getting a look at its contents now.
Inside was a letter from the then principal explaining the training of student's for various vocations, including Denver's new Martin plant—and their industry of guided missiles.
Sixty years later, that Martin plant- now Lockheed Martin- has successfully launched a rocket set to rendezvous with an asteroid orbiting the Sun, where scientists hope to collect dust and then return it to earth.
"You see the type of training we did for an industry that was burgeoning at that time, now very prevalent in our society, we don't even think twice about it, but we hadn't put a man on the moon yet," said Barratt.
Yes, some things are different--but then again some things haven't changed. A school schedule showed classes for pipe fitters and electricians.
"It's really interesting to see how history back 60 years ago is repeating itself, the classes really haven't changed for the skilled trades," said Barratt.
That school schedule, along with newspapers and even the budget for then Emily Griffith Opportunity School will join the exhibit on the 5th floor of the main Denver Public Library on Broadway. Their total budget in 1955? $51,500.
LINKS: Denver Public Library
Emily Griffith Technical College
Joel Hillan is CBS4's Traffic Specialist and is featured on the CBS4 Morning News. Follow Joel on Twitter @joelhillan.
