America’sTime Capsule

America’s Time Capsule is a once-in-a-generation national record created to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Led by America250, this official project will preserve a representative snapshot of the United States at 250 years to be seen in 2276, when America celebrates its 500th anniversary. On July 4, 2026, the capsule will be ceremonially buried at Independence National Historical Park, where it will remain sealed for 250 years as an enduring gift from today’s Americans to future generations.

Why a Time Capsule?

America’s Time Capsule was established in America250’s founding public law, which directed the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to create a lasting national marker of this historic milestone. Congress charged America250 with preserving a record that reflects the full federation of states and territories and the institutions that shape our civic life. More than a symbolic gesture, the capsule fulfills a national responsibility: to document who we were at 250 so that Americans in 2276 can look back with clarity and context.

What Will Be Included?

The capsule will contain a carefully curated collection of letters and artifacts representing American life in 2026. Current plans include contributions from all three branches of the U.S. federal government and submissions from each of the 56 states and territories. Cultural touchstones, including items from major national events and student submissions from America250 programs, will help paint a broader portrait of the country. Together, these materials will create an authentic and nationally representative record of leadership, community, and culture at this defining moment.

Design

Engineered to Last Another 250 Years

Designed in collaboration with scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and preservation experts at the Library of Congress, the capsule has been engineered to withstand centuries underground. Unlike traditional box-shaped time capsules, it is constructed as a precision-milled stainless steel cylindrical vessel built to rigorous federal specifications. Its tubular design minimizes structural vulnerabilities, while a protective metal bell jar creates an air pocket to guard against moisture. Built for durability and longevity, America’s Time Capsule is designed to ensure that when it is opened in 2276, its contents remain dry, intact, and ready to tell the story of America at 250.