A significant initiative aimed at capturing the essence of America recently advanced, although it may have been overshadowed by a series of high-profile events at the White House, including UFC matches and motocross performances.
The America250 commission, a non-partisan group responsible for organizing the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, has completed the sealing of “America’s Time Capsule.” This project, distinct from the Freedom 250 organization linked to former President Trump, features submissions from all U.S. states and territories. The time capsule is intended to remain sealed for 250 years, with the aim of preserving American perspectives on the past, present, and future.
“This moment is as much about the future as it is the past,” explained Rosie Rios, chair of America250. “When it is opened in 2276, future generations will see the care, pride, and optimism with which Americans marked our 250th anniversary.”
The time capsule is scheduled to be interred on July 4 at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. It is set to be unearthed on the same date in 2276, with its contents intended to provide insights into America at the time of its 250th anniversary, according to the organizers.
The America250 time capsule, shown here in the machine shop where it was created at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. (Rich Press/NIST)
Contributions to the time capsule were collected from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories. Officials from the three branches of government provided artifacts and documents, while several “America250 Partners” (which include Apple, Coca-Cola and the Smithsonian Institution) donated items as well. America250 also “selected” specific content to include to “represent its national programming.”
Strictly forbidden from inclusion were items that might rust, degrade, decompose, or rot. For example, Maryland had reportedly wanted to include Old Bay seasoning, but it was rejected, according to the Associated Press.
As for what is specifically inside, America250 said each state has contributed the following items. Further details of each item can be found on the official America250 website.
Alabama : Poems by James Matthew WilsonAlaska : An archival map of the Russian settlement of New Archangel (a settlement that became Sitka) circa 1867; and a copy of the Alaska Territory flag from 1927.American Samoa : Uncirculated coinsArizona : Two copper ingots, one stamped with an “Arizona America 250” and another with the outline of the state; an Arizona state quarter; two commemorative challenge coins, including one laser-etched with the entirety of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution; and letters from the Arizona America 250 Commission and the Arizona secretary of state.Arkansas : A diamond from the state’s Crater of Diamonds; and a letter from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.California : A letter from Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, a fusion superconductor; a “California Innovation $1 Coin” commemorating Steve Jobs and Pixar; a poem by Lee Herrick; a photo of California from space; a quantum computing chip; and an AI-generated prediction of what California will be like in 2276. (The prediction reportedly says California will secede and become part of a “Pacific Federation” along with Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, according to AP.Colorado : A proclamation from Governor Jared Polis; a commemorative challenge coin highlighting both America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th; a state quarter; some of the last pennies ever pressed at the Denver Mint; and poscarts.Connecticut : An official proclamation; a commemorative pin; commemorative stickers; a planning guide; and “graphic notecards.”Washington, D.C : A commemorative challenge coin.Delaware : Twelve notecards featuring messages from residents responding to a prompt reading, “To me, Delaware is…”Florida : Four challenge coins; a pin; a notecard, a copy of the Florida Senate Booklet; and another booklet detailing Florida’s observations for America’s 250th.Georgia : Two challenge coins; and a medallion featuring a painted relief of the Masters golf tournament.Guam : Letters from Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio; a ceremonial necklace/ornament known as a Gualofan, featuring an oyster shell; and a challenge coin.Hawaii : A letter from Governor Josh Green; and a challenge coin commemorating Green.Idaho : A letter from Governor Brad Little; and an Idaho star garnet gemstone.Illinois : A letter from Governor Mike Pritzker; and a poem from Mark Turcotte.Indiana : A report from the state’s Indiana 250 Commission.Iowa : A letter from Governor Kim Reynolds; a coin minted in 1914 to promote food relief in Belgium; and an International Space Station Medallion from astronaut Peggy Whitson.Kansas : A recap document “identifying Kansas250 Commissioners and relevant news items.”Kentucky : A coin commemorating the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.Louisiana : Letters from U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise, Governor Jeff Landry and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser; a set of commemorative lapel pins; a reproduction of a commemorative poster; a challenge coin; notecards from “prominent citizens”; a signed House resolution “commending the Sons of the American Revolution”; a handwritten letter from the Louisiana250 Committee; and a necklace commemorating a New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe (Krewe of Bacchus).Maine : A letter from Governor Janet Mills; a poem from Julia Bouwsma; a bone from a North Atlantic right whale; postcards; and a woven bookmark representing the indigenous Wabanaki people.Maryland: A challenge coin; and a copy of the state’s executive order to form Maryland’s semiquincentennial committee.Massachusetts : Letters from Governor Maura Healey and officials from the Massachusetts 250 committee; archival prints of the Boston Massacre, a letter from John Hancock and a letter from John Adams to Benjamin Frankin; and a commemorative Evacuation Day medallion.Michigan: A letter from Governor Gretchen Whitmer; a state stone (the Petosky stone); a piece of copper; and a “Michigan Innovation $1 Coin” honoring the assembly line and automotive industry.Minnesota: An executive order from Governor Tim Waltz to create the Minnesota250 Commission; and a state flag.Mississippi: A letter from Governor Tate Reeves; and four brass coins commemorating the state’s contributions to music, science, literature and food.Missouri: A letter from Governor Mike Kehoe; and a challenge coin.Montana : A piece of beaded artwork honoring the state’s landscape and its bison, inside an outline of the state.Nebraska: A photo of a Vice Grip pliers; two state quarters and three commemorative “America the Beautiful” quarters; a poem from Jewel Rogers; and a series of postcards.Nevada: A document commemorating Nevada’s “Battle Born” statehood; a commemorative coin honoring a steam-powered press; and gambling chips from Nevada’s casinos.New Hampshire: An image of an emblem used by the Second New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army; a brochure outlining events planned for America’s anniversary by the New Hampshire Historical Society; and a schedule of events for Concord’s July 4 celebrations.New Jersey: A stainless steel plate/plaque inscribed with the state motto.New Mexico: A letter from Governor Luján Grisham; a map of the state, printed on metal; challenge coins commemorating the governor and Route 66; a set of lapel pins; a Pueblo seed pot; sand from White Sands National Park; a “red chile tile” made by Mexican-American artist Jennell Juarez; a squash blossom necklace made by Navajo silversmith Harrison Yazzie; a bolo tie owned by former New Mexico Governor Bruce King; a booklet featuring a poem, a copy of the Arizona Constitution, sheet music and a Zia symbol (a symbol used by the Zia people, notably used on the state’s flag); and a recipe card for the state cookie, a biscochito.New York: A commemorative coin; and a “reflection document.”North Carolina: A poem from Jaki Shelton Green; and a commemorative disc made from copper taken from the North Carolina State Capitol’s dome.North Dakota: A “State of the State” summary; a coin commemorating the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library; and archival photographs.Northern Mariana Islands: A letter from Governor David M. Apatang; a hand-woven beaded necklace known as a Lighatúttúr, from the territory’s Carolinian community; and a sculpture of a Sinåhi, a symbol representing the “celestial rhythms of Chamorro ancestors.”Ohio: A “State of the State” speech from Governor Mike DeWine; a commemorative coin; a piece of fabric from the wings of the aircraft used in the Wright Brothers’ historic 1903 flight; commemorative lapel pins; and coins commemorating the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, the Underground Railroad and Gov. DeWine’s administration.Oklahoma: A proclamation designating July 4, 2026 as Oklahoma Semiquincentennial Day; a belt buckle with images representing the state; an Oklahoma City Thunder championship pin from 2025; a photo from their championship parade; coins commemorating Route 66 and the state’s National Guard; and a button honoring the state’s First Americans Museum.Oregon: A “She Who Watches” pin from Native American artist Lillian Pitt.Pennsylvania: A letter from Governor Josh Shapiro; and a booklet outlining the state’s anniversary celebrations.Puerto Rico: A letter and notecard from Governor Jenniffer González-Colón; a stainless steel set of rosary beads; a pin with the Puerto Rico Coat of Arms; a series of notecards; and a commemorative coin.Rhode Island: A letter discussing the state’s “role in the 250th anniversary of the United States”; a commemorative coin; and an ornament honoring a Revolutionary War regiment.South Carolina: A commemorative challenge coin; and a commemorative pin.South Dakota : A letter from Governor Larry Rhoden; and a book featuring a poem by Joseph Bottum.Tennessee: A poster depicting Tennessee’s culture and history.Texas: A glass paperweight with the Texas “lone star” seal; a flag and seal for the Republic of Texas; and a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence.U.S. Virgin Islands: A letter from Governor Albert Bryan, Jr.Utah: Several official state documents related to the country’s anniversary and Utah’s role; documents containing the Federally Recognized Tribes of the state, the flag and the Utah Commission of the 250th Anniversary of the United States; tickets to Utah tourist attractions; a certificate for shares of the Red Warrior Mining Company; nine commemorative coins and several state coins; eight commemorative pins; granite disks; a medal minted to commemorate the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad; 100 cards featuring different people who “shaped Utah history”; and a 2026 legislative guide.Vermont: An ornament with an image of Mount Independence, a land formation used during the Revolutionary War; an ornament honoring the Revolutionary War battle at Hubbardton; an ornament commemorating the state’s Old Constitution House; and an ornament commemorating the Battle of Bennington.Virginia : A challenge coin.Washington: A proclamation from Governor Bob Ferguson; and a letter from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.West Virginia: An essay written by contest winner Alyssa Dalton, of Morgantown High School; a blown-glass vase; and a blown-glass ornament.Wisconsin: Letters from Governor Tony Evers and five other state officials; a feather from a bald eagle that went into battles with a Wisconsin infantry during the Civil War; a keychain with the seal of the Forest County Potawatomi Community; pins commemorating the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council and the state’s veterans; a Harley Owners Group coin; a Waaswaaganing Zhimaaganishag patch; and a set of cards representing the state’s indigenous people.Wyoming: A letter from Governor Mark Gordon.
In addition to each state and territory, several “America250 Partners” made donations including: an iPhone 17 Pro Max, from Apple; a Coca-Cola bottle with a lyric sheet for “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” from Coca-Cola; a Gold Metal from the Cortina Olympics from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and NBC; and a pocket-size copy of the Constitution signed by the Supreme Court justices, among other items.
More information, along with photos of select items, can be found at America250.org.
After all the items were received and placed in the capsule, the officials in charge of the project said a trend — one signifying hope — seemed to emerge as a common theme among the objects and letters.
“There’s great hope in what this capsule represents and the messages that are put in it,” project manager Tom Medema of the National Park Service told the Associated Press. “Something about this capsule has been truly uplifting for everyone who’s been involved in it.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
