EDMONDS — In a city celebrating its 125th anniversary this summer, it’s hard to pick out just a couple of its historic highlights.

Yet that’s the task that fourth-graders have been given by the Edmonds Historical Museum. The students are being asked to pick the three most important events in the Edmonds’ history and explain their importance — in no more than 525 words.

The museum chose fourth-graders for the essay contest because “elementary school kids are the biggest group that come here and visit the museum,” said Peter Bojakowski, the museum’s director.

The essay contest is one of a number of events being held to celebrate the city’s 125th anniversary, with ceremonies planned Aug. 11.

“The whole idea is to engage kids, especially younger kids, and to encourage them to learn history,” Bojakowski said. He said he hopes it encourages students to do their own research by using school libraries, going to the city’s library, and using other resources.

People coming to the museum often have different opinions on the city’s key events, he said, and students may have a completely different perspective. “Maybe this will change what we should consider the most important things,” he said.

The winning essays will be displayed at the museum.

The museum also will be asking fourth grade students to participate in a time capsule event, also related to the city’s anniversary celebration. Students can submit ideas on what should be included. “We see that more as objects important to kids right now,” Bojakowski said, such as toys or games.

The idea is for the time capsule to be opened in 25 years. That means today’s students will be 35 years old, a period in their lives when many will be married and have kids of their own, he said.

The museum hopes to continue the tradition, with a time capsule opened, and another started, every 25 years, Bojakowski said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Essay contest

An essay contest on the three most noteworthy events in Edmonds’ history is open to all fourth grade students who live in Edmonds or are enrolled in the Edmonds School District. The contest is being sponsored by the Edmonds Historical Museum. Essays are limited to 525 words. The deadline for submission is May 22. More info: www.historicedmonds.org/essay-contest/