South Dakota Will Bury Time Capsule for 2076

Residents can submit small, durable mementos for a state-led historical capsule.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Historical

South Dakota Will Bury Time Capsule for 2076

Live Poll

Would you contribute a personal item to a state time capsule for future generations to find?

The South Dakota State Historical Society and America 250 Commission will bury a state time capsule on November 2, 2026. The collection is intended to provide a snapshot of South Dakota life, with plans for the capsule to be opened in 2076.

Why it matters

The project serves as a permanent capstone to the state’s America 250 celebrations by preserving artifacts for future generations. It captures a specific historical moment in the state by curating objects that reflect the realities of 2026.

Submissions must be durable enough to withstand decades underground and measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches. Materials can be mailed to the South Dakota State Historical Society office in Pierre.

The players

South Dakota State Historical Society

This agency is responsible for the preservation and promotion of the history and heritage of South Dakota.

America 250 Commission

This group is organizing statewide events and projects to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The details

A subgroup of the America 250 Commission will review and select the items to be placed inside the vessel. The completed capsule will be buried at the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial in Sioux Falls to ensure it remains undisturbed for the next 50 years.

October 16, 2026 is the deadline to submit time capsule items.
November 2, 2026 is the date of the time capsule burial ceremony.
2076 is the scheduled year for the time capsule opening.

Roadmap

This project follows a pattern set by the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial time capsule projects by using physical artifacts to connect current residents with those in the next century. It serves as a modern effort to maintain a tangible link to state history through organized, long-term archival storage.

Residents chosen for the final selection will be invited to attend the official burial ceremony in Sioux Falls. Those interested in participating must ensure their submissions meet strict sizing requirements and are durable enough to last for 50 years.

The takeaway

Preserving items for future generations requires careful consideration of material durability to ensure they survive the environmental conditions of the next half-century. Consider choosing non-perishable objects that best represent daily life to ensure they remain meaningful when the capsule is eventually unearthed.