PAOLI – To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Orange County Historical Society (OCHS) has initiated a community-wide time capsule project, inviting residents to document their lives for future generations.
Named the “‘I Was There’ time capsule,” the project is designed to be a meaningful and straightforward way for county residents to participate in the celebration. According to Roger Moon, OCHS vice president, the goal is for participants to be able to declare, “‘I Was There’ (when it happened),'” providing a personal connection to the historic milestone.
The project is patterned after a similar time capsule buried in the Orange County Courthouse lawn in 1976 for the country’s bicentennial, which is scheduled to be unearthed on July 4, 2026. This new time capsule will be a collection of personalized, stuffed envelopes that will be sealed and placed in a secure location to be opened during the nation’s 300th anniversary in 2076.
To facilitate the project, the OCHS will provide the envelopes and a standard form for participants to complete with their name, community/township of residence, and personal information. The Orange County America 250 Committee will make these envelopes and forms available at sanctioned events leading up to July 4, 2026, including the “Slices of Orange” gatherings in various townships.
Envelopes and forms are also available at the OCHS Museum, which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on most Fridays and Saturdays through late November. Additional pick-up and drop-off locations will be announced as the deadline approaches.
The deadline to submit envelopes is June 15, 2026, to ensure they are included in the time capsule. Unlike the 1976 capsule, this one will be a sealed container placed in a secure location, not buried.
Moon suggested that participation can be individual, or entire families, churches, schools, employers, or other groups can fill an envelope collectively. The envelopes will be available in various sizes to accommodate different needs.
Moon highlighted the unique opportunity for younger generations to participate, stating, “It’s important to note that younger generations who place items in the time capsule can fully expect to be present when the capsule is opened in 2076. That adds an element of excitement to the opportunity to participate.”
