What our states are adding to America's Time Capsule

The America250 time capsule, left, and the bell jar that will fit on top of it. Photo credit: Rich Press/NIST

What will future generations think of us when they open America's Time Capsule — a nationwide project to preserve pieces of U.S. history as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebration?

Why it matters: The 900-pound steel capsule reportedly includes over 200 letters and artifacts from the federal government and all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and five territories, meant to create an authentic record of American life in 2026.

What's inside: A whale bone from Maine, a George Washington prayer medal from Utah and a diamond from the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, to name a few.

California, ever on brand, added Claude's prediction of what the Golden State will be like 250 years from now, because of course AI's thoughts about us would be represented. It also included a coin featuring Steve Jobs.
Arizona added a copper ingot inscribed with an outline of Arizona.

Yes, but: Some of the additions other states made to the capsule are not as imaginative.

Florida kept its offerings government-focused with coins representing four state elected officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, plus a booklet on the 2024-2026 Florida Senate and more.
D.C., Maryland and Virginia put in commemorative coins.

Indiana kept it all business with the Indiana 250 Annual Report, which shares the members, mission and objectives of the state's semiquincentennial commission.

The intrigue: States are having a bit more fun with a separate congressional capsule.

Indiana added a chunk of limestone and a photo of a tire used in the Indy 500.
Arizona added 250 copper pennies.

The bottom line: Americans 250 years from now may be getting mixed signals about just how interesting Americans were in 2026.

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What our states are adding to America's Time Capsule

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