WILMINGTON, Ohio — The Clinton County History Center will open a 25-year-old time capsule from the Irwin Auger Bit Company at a public event on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The open house will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the History Center, located at 149 E. Locust St. The time capsule is scheduled to be unsealed at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments, including cake, punch and snacks, will be provided.

The company’s story began in the 1880s when Lewis C. Achor, a Civil War veteran from Green Township, developed the idea for a solid-center auger bit. Blacksmith William M. Demitt patented the design in 1884 and later assigned half the rights to Charles H. Irwin.

Irwin traveled to Wilmington in 1885 and persuaded businessmen to form the Irwin Auger Bit Company, which was incorporated on Oct. 1, 1885. The firm began in leased space at the Champion Iron Bridge Company and went on to become a global leader in tool manufacturing. The company later joined American Tool Companies in 1985 and Stanley Black & Decker in the 2000s.

In 2000, employees of the Wilmington plant, which was then under American Tool Companies, filled a repurposed popcorn tin with mementos from the era. The time capsule was donated to the Clinton County History Center in 2017 with instructions to open it 25 years later. The contents are expected to reflect the company’s craftsmanship and the sense of community among its employees.

“All former Irwin Auger Bit employees, their families, and community members are invited to join us for this historic moment,” said Shelby Boatman, executive director of the History Center. “We can’t wait to discover what was deemed important enough to be preserved for a quarter century.”

The History Center is also encouraging attendees to bring donations of Irwin Auger Bit items, such as photographs, documents or memorabilia, to be added to the museum’s permanent collection.

The time capsule opening is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the History Center at 937-382-4684.