A Quick Reference for a 2016 Time Capsule
Congratulations! During 2016, you have a very rare opportunity to influence and participate in a significant history project. We are using the Centennial Year on Star to take a deliberate look at who we are, where we have been, what we do and think from day to day, and what we hope for our future. As we take time this year to reflect and rejoice, we’ll mark the occasion with program activities. One lasting legacy of our Centennial Year will be two time capsules - one that will be opened in 50 years, and one that will be opened in 100 years. We will collect your contributions throughout 2016, and the time capsule will be sealed on 31 December. During the conference season, you may bring your contributions to the Front Desk, marked for “Time Capsule”, or hand them directly to Pam Smith.
What is a Time Capsule?
A time capsule is a container that preserves artifacts in a safe, stable manner. We will be using two stainless containers that will be filled with inert gas and sealed. Both capsules will be stored on Star Island and registered with the Rockingham Registry of Deeds and the International Time Capsule Institute.
What Should We Put in a Time Capsule?
Time capsules should tell a story. As fast as society, technology, and even our natural environment is changing, what will life be like in the future? We can only guess, but we can send a sample of our current selves to our future selves. By collecting for two capsules, we are promising to talk to ourselves in 50 and 100 years. In all probability, many of us 50 years old or younger will be around to open the 50 year time capsule. What does 2016 want to say to 2066? 2116? Hope, dreams, concerns, questions, best wishes- they all bear thinking about.
Our time capsule artifacts should be “Star Centric”, but also descriptive of our lives on the Island during our conferences. Logical artifacts include:
- Photographs
- Paper written notes
- Journals
- Conference newsletters
- Made souvenirs
Remember that the 50 year capsule can contain individual and collective “letters to self”. You should use acid free paper for notes, or consider using an acid free journal to write in. Likewise, photos should be printed on acid free paper. If you need assistance conserving an artifact (such as newsprint), please contact Tom Coleman and he can help. You may seal items in envelopes, but also submit an inventory list. We will most likely be putting your artifacts in separate envelopes or bags identifying your conference. Your items will not be opened or read before packing. If you are chairing a family conference, please plan on submitting no more than the equivalent of a shoe box full of material. This means the area of a shoe box, not necessarily the shape. The approximate space allocation is 340 square inches. If you are representing a smaller conference, please try to use less. These dimensions are for each capsule.
What Should we avoid?
Please do not include anything perishable or degradable. Plant matter, rubber, food, candy, hair, and some plastics may degrade and “off gas”, effecting other items in the capsule. Most paper, including newsprint, is not stable for long term storage, so consider copying documents to acid free paper. Electronics are a big question, and while a DVD, CD, or data storage device will certainly be around in 50 or 100 years, it may not be readable. We are accepting these media, but be aware of the possibility they may not be readable.
Thank you for participating in our History - our Story!
For further information, consult the SIC Homepage, or call Tom Coleman at 603-380-4377.
Useful Information can be found at: