Here at my institution we have celebrated two centennials, which both have time capsules placed as part of the ceremonies.  We have also removed one time capsule that was placed in 1977.  It was a simple copper box, riveted and caulked closed, and sealed into a chamber in a working water fountain in one of the lobbies at the hospital.  The materials, mostly documents, were in surprisingly good condition

The first centennial capsule, a stainless steel box, was vacuum-sealed and placed in a short, brick column in the yard of one of the facilities, in 1991.

The second capsule was placed on 31 Dec 1998, in a cement support column in the historical alcove in the main hospital lobby,  It was a copper box and was riveted and caulked closed.  The lid had a foam seal on the interior.

The first copper capsule and the stainless steel one were made by the Engineering department.  The second copper box was made by a local sheet-metal company.

If you have any questions, please contact me off-list.

John C. Hale II
Archives Technician
Scott & White Hospital Archives & Log Cabin Medical Museum
Temple, Texas
(254) 771-8208     Fax (254) 771-7667   [log in to unmask]

>>> Jane Sarre <[log in to unmask]> 01/21 3:56 PM >>>
I work as an advisor to local independent and voluntary museums for a county
council, and get get asked all kinds of unexpected questions, one of which
is this.

Do you know of anyone who produces, or sells, containers for use as time
capsules to be buried?

In the past I have suggested all kinds of things from stable plastic boxes
to army surplus metal containers but I can't think of anything really
suitable.

Have any of you had any experience in this field?

Jane