Jun 25, 2026 - Culture

What Louisiana is contributing to the America250 time capsule

Chelsea Brasted

Two people in navy suits stand beside a desk covered with letters in a wood-paneled office, with an American flag and a trophy visible behind them. — State Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman, left, and Rep. Mike Bayham pose for a photo with Louisiana's America250 time capsule contributions. Freeman wrote a note for the time capsule about her experience being treated for breast cancer. Photo: Courtesy of Rep. Mike Bayham

Louisiana may have the most contributions of any state or territory within a new time capsule celebrating the United States' 250th birthday, state Rep. Mike Bayham says.

Why it matters: The selections are an interesting snapshot of what represents the state today.

Zoom in: As chairman of the state's America250 commission, Bayham led the selection for Louisiana's time capsule contributions.

"We had a 'Williamsburg' approach," Bayham says. "When people go to Williamsburg, they go to see the mundane, how simple tasks were done back then that are completely inconceivable to people today."
To provide that, the state's contributions included 30 handwritten notes from a mix of scholars, elected officials, athletes, veterans, immigrants, education leaders and legislators.
Among them: former New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey, LSU President Wade Rousse and ULL President Ramesh Kolluru.

Louisiana's contributions also include:

Letters from Gov. Jeff Landry, Rep. Steve Scalise, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the state's America250 commission; a challenge coin; commemorative pins; a copy of a state House resolution commending the Sons of the American Revolution; a commemorative poster; and beads from Bacchus' most recent Mardi Gras parade.
Other state contributions

What's next: The time capsule gets buried July Fourth.

Save the date for 2276 when it gets reopened.

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What Louisiana is contributing to the America250 time capsule

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