Why not build your own time capsule?
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/08/2020 (1911 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A time capsule can be any container that holds a selection of items that were chosen to represent a moment in time. The objects as well as all of the information contained inside are hidden away, for future generations to open.
There appears to be some debate about when time capsules were used for the first time. In the United States, the oldest known time capsule is said to date back to 1795 and was placed to mark the construction of the Massachusetts State House. The box was opened in 2015 and was found to contain amazing artifacts including coins dating back to the 1600s and a copper medal with an image of George Washington. Most impressive was a silver plaque reported to have been made by world-renowned American silversmith Paul Revere.
In Canada, the oldest known time capsule was placed in Harbor Grace, N.L. To commemorate the building of a new courthouse, a special ceremony was held on July 26, 1830, as coins and newspapers were deposited into a carved hollow in the cornerstone of the building.
Intended to be a deliberate method of communication to help future archeologists, anthropologists or historians, creating a time capsule can also be a special activity for your family.
Time capsules can be made for yourself or as a gift idea for your children or grandchildren. Determining who you want to open the time capsule may help you decide what items to put inside and when you want the capsule to be opened.
When considering what to place in your time capsule, think of items that are important to you as well as things that represent the current state of the world. Photographs, newspapers and currency from the present year are common choices. Additional suggestions for a family time capsule include personal mementos, art projects, favourite toys as well as letters that can pass on information, wishes and messages of importance.
Options for choosing when you want the time capsule to be opened include a certain date or at a specified time in someone’s life, such as a birthday, marriage, birth of a child or retirement.
Although some people choose to bury their time capsules, it is difficult task to protect the items from damage due to the elements. Recommended alternatives include placing the objects in a hidden location inside a home or storing them in a sealed container to be displayed.
If you decide to create your own time capsule, enjoy the process and the sharing of memories!
Cindy Murdoch is a community correspondent for Transcona. She can be contacted at reflections8@shaw.ca
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