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Time Capsule Size

We’ve found a great way to help you determine what size of time capsule you need. See our info-graphic in this post to find out how to figure the size of your project - including cost - before you’ve even gathered your first item! Prices are subject to change.

To help you decide on the correct size of time capsule you need, see the handy Time Capsule info-graphic, "What Size Time Capsule Do I Need?"

Find your budget and your group, and see the time capsules that fit perfectly! If you need a custom package, simply ask our office for a written estimate.

Lost Time Capsules

There should be no lost time capsules. But unfortunately, future folks sometimes lose track of where the capsule was placed years ago.

If you are planning a time capsule, use the information in this article to  make sure yours is not lost.

If you’ve lost a time capsule placed in the past, use this article as a checklist to try various methods that just might help you find one that is already lost.

Time Capsule Size Revisited – What do I Really Need?

What size time capsule do I want? Is it what I need?

If you are just beginning your time capsule project, figuring the size of container you need is one of the first things you need to do. Whether it is for a small project (such as a personal time capsule or family time capsule) or a larger one, this article helps you figure size of time capsule needed by estimating the size of the items you want to put inside as keepsakes.

Standard vs First Quality for Family Time Capsules

Future Line Standard Time Capsules

Q: I am interested in a Standard Time Capsule on your website, but would like to know what is the extent of the damage. Are they small dents/dings or are they big? Is it possible for you to tell me more?

A: There is only a minor cosmetic difference, and you can see more detail in this article.

7 Preservation Secrets

Do you really need to preserve things in your time capsule? Use these 7 Time Capsule Preservation Secrets to get a good start on taking care that the gifts you are sending into the future survive. Handy tips you may not already know, about paper, photos & more. Some info is from our Preservation Hints leaflet, included with all time capsules.

The Best Paper for Time Capsules & Long Term Storage

What is the best paper? Which ones should you use inside of time capsules and for important papers that you will have in long term storage, such as wills and other legal documents?

Here we discuss various paper available today, which ones are best and which to avoid, and why. Some are best to use on a daily basis, others are more expensive but have cotton content and therefore will last longer and stay in good condition a long time.

Time Capsules 101: What are they and when to open them

This article helps define what a time capsule is, some of the history behind it, and how to choose an opening date for your time capsule. Find references here for the "Book of Record" made by the first time capsule ever - the Westinghouse Time Capsule of Cupaloy at the 1939 World's Fair. And it discusses how others have determined the opening year for their time capsule and the thinking behind them. Doing a report? Start here.

Believe in Your Time Capsule!

Some of the secrets to any successful time capsule project is to believe in it. You want the time capsule to be meaningful.
You want people to participate and be involved along with you, you want the items to be interesting, you want the container to protect the things inside.

Preparing Photos – Digital vs Paper Formats

Q. What about preparing time capsule photos? Can we just put in a CD/DVD or a thumb drive, or do we need to print them out, too? And, if we print them out, what paper do we use? What ink?

When preparing time capsule photos, provide paper versions of your digital formats. It's natural to want to include digital versions of everything - they are small and cheap. But paper versions are better, because those who open the capsule in the future need no separate or special device to read them. Our current media reading devices are likely to change within just a few years (remember VHS tapes?). To preserve either paper or digital items, see our archival supplies and preservation kits.

Secret Time Capsule Tips for Future Thinking

If you have never done a time capsule project before, how do you think about it?

Find out how by doing some ‘future thinking.’ Those who place time capsules plan someday for either themselves or someone else to open it once again to remember and to ponder the contents.

You'll think about timing. Popular timing goes 10, 25, 50, or 100 years or more in the future. It may be meaningful: sesquicentennial celebrants will choose 150 to match the year of celebration, or simply 50 so that the capsule can be opened at the bicentennial. Essentially, any time capsule is a snapshot of today as well as a gift for the future. You want the time capsule to last, your contents to survive in great condition, and use a plaque to make sure it's not forgotten in the future when you are not around.

5 Tips for Time Capsule Burial of Family Time Capsules

You can safely bury any Future Line Family or School Time Capsule for up to 50 years or more. Read and follow all instructions that come with the sealant included with the time capsule. With these 5 basic tips, plus our quality time capsules, you can be assured the time capsule is opened to the joy and not the dismay of your future legatees. Be sure to use your own common sense when placing any time capsule in the ground.

Insulate Your Time Capsule Container

Case study from 1999's Millennium Times Capsule in New York City shows the challenges of placing a time capsule sculpture out in the open for 1,000 years.

Thinking about the challenges of insulation for that project leads to some timely suggestions for common time capsule placement as well. This article shows an example of what one organization did to commemorate the time.

When is a Time Capsule Vault Necessary?

A vault is not always necessary. But sometimes there are reasons for encasing a time capsule in a vault. This article discusses when they are useful and when they are necessary, and if you have one, how to make sure it is helpful and not harmful to a time capsule's longevity.

This article shows an example of a burial vault. Updated article as of 2021.

Don't Gamble on Your Time Capsule Container

When it comes time for you to place those precious contents into something, don't skimp on the time capsule container.

Why spend time and money on your time capsule contents only to have the recipients some 50 years hence open a mushy mucky mess?

Simple Time Capsule Project Planning

How to Make Your Time Capsule Project Work!

What is the most important part of your time capsule project? It's you or your group. Yes, people. People will support you, and they will argue with you. People can make or break a time capsule project. Some people will come up with good ideas and yet others will give you bad ones.You can start with some good ideas here...