America250 has officially sealed a 900-pound “America’s Time Capsule” with more than 200 artifacts, records and objects meant to be opened in 2276. The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, with contributions ranging from NASA and AI predictions to
On July 4, workers in Philadelphia will bury a 900-pound steel cylinder designed to outlast today’s headlines—an America sealed in artifacts and messages meant for people 250 years from now.
The “America’s Time Capsule” was officially sealed as the U.S. prepares for its 250th birthday. It will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4 as part of hundreds of events planned nationwide for America’s 250th anniversary. Inside is a collection of over 200 artifacts. records and objects intended to tell America’s story when the capsule is opened in 2276.
America250. the official nonpartisan commission designated by Congress to organize the July 4 celebrations. spearheaded the effort to design the capsule and collect relics. All 50 states. along with numerous national organizations. contributed items—ranging from a vial of sand to an Olympic gold medal—meant to reflect the people. places and moments that shaped U.S. history.
“Now that America’s Time Capsule has been sealed. it carries with it a remarkable record of this moment in our nation’s history. ” America250 Chair Rosie Rios said. “This moment is as much about the future as it is the past. When it is opened in 2276. future generations will see the care. pride. and optimism with which Americans marked our 250th anniversary.”.
The contents read like a map of everyday life and long-running national milestones—one state at a time, often with multiple submissions—while also carrying deliberate nods to science, technology and cultural memory.
From Alabama. the capsule includes a series of poems written by author and professor James Matthew Wilson titled “America.” Alaska contributed a map of New Archangel. Alaska. when Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. American Samoa submitted a set of two uncirculated quarters from 2009 and 2020 with images of American Samoa.
Arizona’s contribution includes a laser nano-etching of the text and signatures of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution on a coin. Arkansas sent a diamond found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. the only place in the United States where people can search for diamonds and keep what they find. California included a NASA photo, an AI prediction and a fusion superconducter segment.
Colorado contributed a set of postcards selected to represent what life was like in Colorado in 2026. Connecticut added the Official Proclamation document for the state. The District of Columbia contributed a challenge coin with “Washington, D.C. 250” on one side and a building with flags and the Mayor’s name etched on the other.
Delaware included a set of 12 notecards with writings and drawings from the state’s citizens to answer what Delaware is to them. Florida placed the Florida Senate Booklet from 2024 to 2026 into the capsule, describing the operations of the Senate. Georgia sent a distinct medallion of The Masters Logo. with a yellow silhouette of the United States and a red flagstick marking where Augusta. Georgia is located.
Guam contributed a Gualofan ornament pendant. described as a traditional ornament that has become a modern expression of Chamorro identity. representing the full moon. Hawaii included a letter from Governor Josh Green. Idaho’s item is a star garnet. the state’s official gemstone found only in Idaho and one other place in the world. meant to highlight Idaho’s geological heritage.
Illinois contributed a poem authored by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte titled “Dear New Blood.” Indiana’s submission is the Indiana 250 Annual Report. sharing the mission and objectives of the commission working to celebrate July 4th. Iowa included an astronaut Peggy Whitson’s International Space Station medallion. commemorating Whitson’s leadership as the first woman to command the International Space Station.
Kansas sent a document identifying Kansas250 commissioners and news items from the last year. Kentucky contributed a commemorative coin from the Sons of the Revolution. intended to remind future readers how the American Revolution influenced Kentucky. Louisiana’s portion includes a necklace with a Krewe of Bacchus pendant, a collectible from Mardi Gras, and glass beads. Maine added a whale bone from the North Atlantic right whale. one of the world’s most critically endangered large whale species.
Maryland included a challenge coin with Governor Wes Moore’s name and a map of the state on it. Massachusetts brought archival prints. including a print of the Boston Massacre and a letter from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts Council. Michigan contributed the Petoskey stone. the state stone native to the shores of Lake Michigan and formed nearly 350 million years ago.
Minnesota placed its state flag into the capsule. Mississippi submitted four brass coins commemorating the U.S.’s largest rocket engine test site and the Birthplace of America’s Music, amongst other notable events. Missouri included a letter from Governor Mike Kehoe to Americans 250 years later.
Montana contributed beaded artwork created by an Arikara artist representing the state’s landscapes and heritage. Nebraska sent an archival photo of the Vice Grip pliers, symbolizing the state’s commerce and history. Nevada added a set of gambling chips reflecting the history of casinos across the state. which legalized gambling during the Great Depression.
New Hampshire included a print of a sticker depicting the center emblem of a flag carried by the Second New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army. New Jersey contributed a stainless steel plate with greetings to people in 2276. with “the hope that the values that guide us in 2026 — liberty. opportunity. cooperation. love and respect for one another — continue to shape society.” New Mexico’s contribution is a hand-crafted red chile tile created by Mexican-American artist Jennel Juarez. described as one of New Mexico’s longstanding cultural symbols.
New York added a written reflection from New York State. North Carolina included a copper disk engraved with an image of the North Carolina State Capitol Building. North Dakota contributed a commemorative coin representing the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
The Northern Mariana Islands sent a crescent-hewn symbol representing the Chamorro ancestors’ leadership and noble standing. Ohio contributed fabric from the Wright Brothers’ flight honoring the state’s connection to the birth of aviation. Oklahoma added a belt buckle featuring images that represent the “grit, determination and spirit” of the state.
Oregon’s portion is a handcrafted pin created by Native American artist Lillian Pitt. Pennsylvania contributed a “Greetings from Harrisburg” letter from Governor Josh Shapiro. Puerto Rico included a rosary to represent the importance of faith in the island.
Rhode Island sent a holiday ornament meant to honor the state’s Revolutionary War legacy. South Carolina provided a coin commemorating the work done by the state’s 250 Commission. South Dakota contributed a poetry book celebrating the state’s rivers. wildlife and homestead culture through a special edition of “This Far Country” authored by Joseph Bottum.
Tennessee’s submission is an original poster designed by one of the state’s artists to highlight Tennessee’s agricultural history and cultural symbols. including its role in the Civil Rights movement and women’s suffrage. Texas included the state seal on a chiseled glass paperweight, with the seal designed in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
The U.S. Virgin Islands sent a letter from Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. Utah included a set of 101 paper cards with different people that shaped Utah history. Vermont contributed a Battle of Hubbardton ornament. describing the battle as the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely on what is now considered Vermont.
Virginia’s item is a challenge coin representing the state’s commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial. Washington included a letter from Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to the future. West Virginia added a student essay authored by Alyssa Dalton titled “Remembering our Foundation,” celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday. The essay was solicited from a statewide essay contest to recognize how “the young people… will continue to guide our state.”.
Wisconsin contributed an Eagle feather and photo of Old Abe, an American bald eagle who served with the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the civil war. Wyoming added a letter from Governor Mark Gordon to future Americans.
Many portions of the capsule were designed specifically for the commemoration. including contributions that look far beyond history as a record and toward history as technology. The Library of Congress. for example. contributed a molecular data storage device about 0.2 inches with synthetic DNA encoded with digital copies of the library’s items. It includes Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. a 3D rendering of President Abraham Lincoln’s hand and an 1898 audio recording of the national anthem.
Companies such as Coca Cola and Apple, along with museums like the Smithsonian Institute, also contributed items.
The range is enormous, but the time horizon is the same: sealed now, meant to be opened in 2276. As the capsule closes. the collection becomes less about what people will remember immediately—and more about what Americans choose to preserve for strangers who will only know the present through what was carefully saved.
America250 America’s Time Capsule Philadelphia July 4 2276 900-pound steel cylinder artifacts Library of Congress DNA storage NASA photo AI prediction fusion superconducter
2276 is like forever away lol
I saw “900-pound” and instantly thought it was gonna blow something up. But ok, bury it in Philly for July 4 like that’s normal. Also 200 artifacts… who picks what’s even worth keeping?
Wait so it’s sealed like a time capsule, but it’s also “outlast today’s headlines”? That sounds like they’re trying to prove something. If they put AI predictions in there, won’t future people just be like “wow, you guys really believed that?”
This is kinda cool but why Philadelphia of all places? I’m sure half the stuff inside is just PR and museum junk. And if it opens in 2276, won’t it be contaminated or something? Like steel cylinder… but still. Also isn’t “America250” like political or whatever? I’m confused.