The America250 time capsule, left, and the bell jar that will fit on top of it. Photo: Rich Press/NIST
Future generations of Americans celebrating the nation's 500th anniversary will get a glimpse of what Arizona was like for the 250th when they open America's Time Capsule.
Why it matters: The 900-pound steel capsule reportedly includes over 200 letters and artifacts from the federal government, all 56 states and territories, and other institutions like major sports leagues, the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts, 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.
Zoom in: Arizona's contributions include:
A commemorative copper ingot created by Desert Lace Studios in Jerome, stamped with an Arizona America 250 logo
A copper ingot inscribed with an outline of Arizona
An Arizona state quarter
A challenge coin
A stainless steel coin with the entire Declaration of Independence and Constitution laser-etched onto it
A letter from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and another documenting the members of the Arizona America250 Commission
🗣️ You tell us: What do you think Arizona should've put into the time capsule?
Hit reply or email us at [email protected], and we may include your response in a future edition.
