To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the PR Club unsealed a time capsule first assembled in 1984—offering a rare and tangible glimpse into the media and PR world of the past. Revealed at the 56th Annual Bell Ringer Awards, the capsule was curated as a snapshot of the communications landscape of the mid-1980s.
Inside, the contents told a story of both industry and culture.
There was a printed membership roster, anniversary writeups, and Bell Ringer newsletters from 1983 and 1984. Memorabilia from Boston’s media scene included autographed photos of local TV personalities; T-shirts from WBZ, WHDH, and WVBF; a WLVI-TV wall clock; a WSBK-TV hockey puck; and a Fenway Park schedule. A WRKO cookbook and a videotape of Boston Cablevision’s first broadcast captured the personality and creativity that defined the era.
The Boston Phoenix’s personals section and a Boston Herald feature titled “Heralding Our 35th” reflected the rich print culture of the time, while a Boston Globe headline “Imagining the Year 2024” added a playful nod to the future.
Elenore Parker, who chaired the time capsule committee, called it “a snapshot of communications as it existed in 1984.” Today, it serves as a reminder of just how much the field has evolved—and how the PR Club has evolved with it, laying the foundation to become a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing the profession through ethical leadership, strategic communication, and a renewed commitment to strengthening public trust—while continuing to honor excellence through our annual awards celebrating PR professionals across New England.
What began in 1949 as a small group of professionals working to legitimize and strengthen their field, has grown into New England’s leading community for public relations and communications. The unsealing of the capsule isn’t just a look back—it’s a celebration of how far PR Club has come, and a renewed commitment to the stories, strategies, and connections that continue to shape our work today.
This blog was written by Paulino Cardoso, PR Club Board Member