Store This Time in History

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History isn’t only for the classroom: You are living it right now. Building a time capsule, where you store memorable items away in a container, can remind you later of what life is like in 2009. You can also store the time capsule away for future generations to learn about life now. Here are some tips on building a time capsule that can preserve all your “future” artifacts.

Decide Who You Want to Open It

You can store the capsule away for yourself years from now, or it can be for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You can even store the time capsule away without dedicating it to anyone in particular and leave it up to fate on who finds it.

Here are some ideas for the label:
When you create the time capsule, write clearly who you want to open it, and when you want it to be opened.

Some examples of a label are:
“This time capsule was preserved by Sally Dawes on October 15, 2009, and whoever finds it should not open it until at least October 15, 2059,” or “I, Sally Dawes, 8-years-old, solemnly swear not to open this time capsule until my 25th birthday.”

Take Time to Decide What You Want to Put in It

Choosing what items represent your life now is a big decision, so think of different items that mean something to you but that you don’t mind parting with. Use your imagination and consider who will be opening the time capsule and when they’ll be doing it. If it is dedicated to an older you, what would best remind you of your childhood? If it’s for another generation, what do you think best represents a kid’s life in 2009?

Here are some ideas of what to include:

• Write a letter listing your favorite music, movie, book, food or hobbies.
• If it’s for you, write out goals that you hope to accomplish by the time you open the capsule.
• Make predictions about what new inventions you think will exist by the time the capsule is opened.
• List hot trend objects, such as a Harry Potter book or an iPod to illustrate what items are popular in 2009.
• Newspaper clippings will show what the biggest events are during this time.
• Other items to consider: pictures, ticket stubs, coins and stamps

Make Sure Your Capsule Can Withstand the Test of Time

You can choose something really simple for a container, such as a coffee tin, large jar or airtight food container with a lid. But make sure you clean it really well and that it’s completely dry when you place your contents inside. If you choose another container, make sure it’s made of non-biodegradable material such as plastic, metal or heavy-duty rubber. It might be a good idea to put items into an airtight, plastic bag. Also, don’t include any substance that could decay and damage other items. Steer clear of wool, wood or anything that is perishable. In addition to your label, feel free to decorate your time capsule anyway you want!

Here are some ideas for where to put your time capsule:

• If it’s for you or future family members, put it somewhere out of sight so that you (or someone else!) aren’t tempted to open it. But, also put it somewhere that it won’t be easily forgotten.
• Stow it somewhere dry and safe where other stored items are located so that it will not be accidentally thrown away. The most popular places for storage of keepsake items will likely be the attic or basement of your house.
• If you’re feeling adventurous and want to leave it up to fate to decide who finds your time capsule, bury it in your front or backyard, but ask for permission from your parents first!

Get a Group Involved!

Making a time capsule can be a fun activity to do with your family and friends. In fact, you can write notes to each other, but don’t read them so that the notes will remain a mystery until they’re surprised years later.

Here’s an idea:
Check your local library to see if they have any plans to bury a time capsule representing your community. Or feel free to suggest the idea yourself! Burying a time capsule to be opened years later is an unique, hands-on way to preserve the history of your community.

Donna Pittman, the development director of the Champaign Public Library in Champaign, Illinois, says they buried a time capsule in July 2008 to be opened 100 years later. Children and teens voted on their favorite books and movies to include and the top three from each category were put in the capsule. For the adult materials, the group picked current books and movies that had the highest circulation and a stack of popular magazines. She said, to them it was important to include interesting artifacts rather than just documents, such as meeting agendas.

“We were just trying to capture the flavor of what it’s like here,” she says.