Time Capsules

A time capsule was found during the excavation of the Dillie property that was previously located in Sugarcreek Township for a new retail center (more about that in a later blog). The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Times newspaper wrote an article about the finding of the capsule. This got me thinking about time capsules in the realm of public history. These containers are created at a specific time period by people wanting to preserve what they feel is important for future generations to know about during that time.

The items placed in the box could range from a child’s toy to medical devices. There could be personal, community or business capsules. I am highly interested to find out what is in the Dille capsule since the house is linked to John Patterson.  I wonder about how many other time capsules are out there just waiting to be discovered.

If I were to create a time capsule to be opened one hundred years after I pass, here is what the future generation would find:

• A family tree printed the year I pass so it would include the most up to date information
• Photographs of the people on the tree (as many as possible)
• Teddy Bear given to me at age 2 by Uncle Mervin (mom’s brother, also a middle child)
• The red-headed Crissy doll from my childhood
• Dawn dolls that I played with inside their case
• A timeline showing all the placed I have lived including a map
• School Yearbooks and pictures
• The DVD oral interview recorded during the Vets Voices class
• College degrees
• Newspaper clippings showing the changes in technology

I could add a bunch more items. This is a starting off list, I am thinking about doing a time capsule for future descendants to know me.  How about you?  If you had the chance to create or add an item to a time capsule, what would it be and why?