Wielding a jackhammer with a deftness that belied his 71 years, real estate developer Alan Shecter attacked the sidewalk outside the Charles Theatre on Wednesday, hoping to crack open a time capsule laid by his father 68 years ago.
“I was 3 years old when it was buried, but I remember my father talking about it,” he told a crowd of onlookers.
Yet after plying through aged concrete and removing an old piece of plywood, all that remained were scraps of yellowed film, the soggy remnants of a book, and one soaking Baltimore News-Post newspaper. It appeared water had torn asunder that patrilineal legacy of Shecter, spoiling a snapshot of a Baltimore long since forgotten.
“I?m a little disappointed,” he said afterward.
The event was held to commemorate the third and final phase of the city?s 18-month, $11 million streetscape program along historic Charles Street. The project will bring trees, benches, granite curbs and more street lights to the city?s burgeoning cultural arts district. Business owners and city leaders were on hand to laud the continued resurgence of one of the city?s most vibrant night spots.
“This is an exciting day for everyone,” said City Councilman Jack Young, whose district includes the Charles Theatre. “It?s great to see thisarea continues to grow.”
Despite the disappointing yield from the time capsule, Schecter said he still remembers the grandeur of the former Times Theatre ? which stood on the same block as the Charles ? and was owned and operated by his father.
“The movie theater ran 24 hours a day,” he said. “Movies were shown all the time.”
Looking back at 1939
» “Gone with the Wind” captured four Academy Awards.
» Glenn Miller played the Hippodrome.
» German immigrant Gustav Brunn created Old Bay Seasoning in Baltimore.
» Adolf Hitler made Time magazine?s Man of the Year cover, and then he invaded Poland, leading to World War II.
» Baltimore City College opened with 46 students.
» The New York Yankees crushed the Cincinnati Reds? World Series hopes 4-0. Meanwhile, the future Orioles ? then playing as the St. Louis Browns ? finished eighth.
» Ritchie Highway connected Baltimore and Annapolis.
» Morgan College became part of the state system.
» Democrat Herbert R. O’Conor was elected governor.
