Hancock County Chooses Above-Ground Storage for Time Capsule
By Chelsea Boling
Hancock County leaders have officially decided not to bury the community’s time capsule honoring the 250th birthday of America and 50th birthday of Vastwood Park. The change in plan comes after nearby counties opened long-buried capsules this year and discovered that water infiltration had destroyed many of the contents.
One of the most widely reported incidents occurred in Morgan County, Indiana, where a time capsule buried on July 4, 1976 was unearthed for their 250th anniversary celebration. Volunteers found a strong odor, dissolved paper envelopes, and standing water inside the vault. According to the Morgan County America 250 Committee, nothing inside the capsule escaped the water. A split in the liner likely allowed moisture to seep in over several decades.
Failures like this prompted Hancock County officials to reconsider their original plan to bury the local capsule at Vastwood Park. Judge-Executive Chic Roberts said the county’s decision was made after reviewing the damage seen in nearby communities.
“The time capsule will be placed at the beach house at Vastwood Park. After careful consideration, we decided to keep it above ground due to weather-related concerns. In nearby communities, several 50-year time capsules sealed in 1976 were recently opened, only to be found filled with water because their underground seals had failed over time.” Roberts emphasized that Hancock County wants to avoid the same fate.
“We want to give this time capsule the best possible chance of surviving intact so that those opening it in 2076 won’t face the same disappointing outcome. By storing it above ground in a secure, protected location, we hope its contents will remain dry and well preserved for the next 50 years.”
A Shift in Best Practices
The Indiana America 250 Commission has already advised counties not to bury new capsules. Morgan County’s new 2076 capsule will also be stored above ground in archival boxes inside a locked trunk rather than buried. Preservation experts are increasingly recommending above-ground, climate-controlled storage to ensure long-term survival of historical artifacts.
Looking Ahead to 2076
The Hancock County America 250 capsule, filled with community submissions will now be housed securely at Vastwood Park’s beach house. Officials say the location will provide protection from moisture, easier monitoring, and a stable environment for the next half century. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on July 4, 2076 during America’s tricentennial celebration.
