Here's what Florida included in America's Time Capsule
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The America250 time capsule, left, and the bell jar that will fit on top of it. Photo: Rich Press/NIST
What will future generations think of Florida 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 56 states and territories, meant to create an authentic record of American life in 2026.
- It will be buried in Philadelphia with the idea that future Americans will open it in 2276 — 250 years from now.
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.
What Florida is burying
The Sunshine State decided to keep its offerings government-focused:
- A set of four challenge coins representing the Florida attorney general, the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
- A House of Representatives Florida pin attached to a note to Americans from Daniel Perez, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
- A booklet on the 2024-2026 Florida Senate, which lists elected officials and a brief history of Florida, including state animals and fun facts.
- An America250FL booklet highlighting Florida's Semiquincentennial Celebration.
What else Florida should have buried
We think the state could have fit in a few more mementos representing Florida's past and present.
- Artwork from Seminole painter Noah Billie
- Sand from one of our beaches
- Clothing made out of python skin
- A Weeki Wachee mermaid tail
- A Flanigan's cup
You tell us
What do you think Florida should have buried in America's Time Capsule? Email [email protected] to share your thoughts.
Axios reporters Kathryn Varn and Naomi Feinstein contributed to this story.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the time capsule will be opened in 2276 (not 2776).