They include: a signed letter by district graduate and lead donor Legend, letters from district leaders and South alumnus and donor Jim Valentine (class of '55), historical and more recent renovation photos, a copy of the Springfield News-Sun with a story about the auditorium renovations, an aerial photo of the building and details about the entire project to reuse the South High building.
“Ensuring that all youth of my hometown have arts and culture in their lives matters to me,” Legend wrote in the letter. “As we prepare to seal this old window behind a wall once again, my thoughts turn to the future. When will this wall be opened next?… My hope is that the John Legend Theater will have made it easier for the youth of Springfield to find encouragement and support as they participated in the arts.”
Additional items will be added before the space is closed up next week, said Kim Fish, director of communications and collective impact for Springfield schools, including a thumb drive with music made by local students at the YouMedia lab, a John Legend CD and other items representing donors.
The window was uncovered during the renovation of the 1909 auditorium, expected to be completed in September.
The team hopes the time capsule will give anyone renovating in the future of slice of what life was like in 2016, Fish said.
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