Join us on Sunday, July 5, 2026 for the long-awaited (50 years!) opening of the bicentennial time capsule buried by friends, family and community members in 1976.
Following this ceremony will be a new burial , a semiquincentennial, to be opened in 2076!
Trout Creek Schoolhouse
32 Bridge Street, Trout Creek, NY
Buried in 1976
What will we find when we uncover the long-awaited capsule?
This page is taken from Perry Shelton's book
Tompkins - The First 200 Years
Can't make it?
Don't worry, we'll be live streaming from Facebook!
Semiquincentennial
Gather your items, seal them tight, and bury them deep! In 2076, this new capsule will be uncovered for future generations to discover. Please keep items to an approximate 9x12 size to ensure all items will fit.
It is appreciated if planning to add items to the new capsule that you fill out the form here.
A group selfie (awkward angles encouraged)
Photos of friends, family, pets, your house, and landscape around Trout Creek
A handwritten note describing a normal day in your life
A list of slang words + what they mean (this one is always hilarious later)
Letters to your future self (or future finders)
Predictions for the next 5–50 years
Inside jokes written down with no explanation
A “what I’m worried about / excited about” list
Coins or cash
A grocery receipt (wildly underrated)
A face mask, keychain, or small daily-use item
Packaging from a popular snack or drink
USB drive with photos, videos, playlists, or voice notes
(bonus: label what it is and how to open it)
QR code linking to something meaningful (if you’re feeling risky)
A small toy or trinket that’s trendy now
Stickers or patches
A mini game, dice, or cards
A joke note like: “If you’re reading this, hi from the past”
Use airtight, waterproof containers or ziploc baggies
Label with your name or the person(s) you want to open
Food, batteries, or anything that leaks
Large items - space must be limited for all items to fit