• Heritage Time Capsules are a fantastic method of preserving a moment in time to be remembered and celebrated at some point in the future. The two significant events associated with every Heritage Time capsule are the celebration of putting the articles into the capsule and the celebration when the articles are unearthed from the capsule. Both events provide opportunities to gather together to reflect, to hope, and to enjoy the present.

• Heritage Time Capsules are purchased and filled by individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Typically, the community participants are invited to contribute items to be stored in the Heritage Time Capsule. Frequently, the commencement of the Heritage Time Capsule coincides with a significant milestone such as a centennial, an anniversary, a birth, or a death. The ceremony of the Heritage Time Capsule presents a moment to celebrate the past, present, and future.

• The organizer of a Heritage Time Capsule celebration is frequently an employee of a municipality, corporation, organization, institution, or a club. Other time capsule organizers may include historians, family leaders, genealogists, and activists.
  

• Be certain that all items placed in your Heritage Time Capsule are dry.

• Do not include food, candy, or food products as these may carry bacteria or moisture.

• Do not include staples, paper clips or rubber bands. They can corrode or leave a residue on your preserved items.

• Separate the items as much as possible, reducing the risk of interaction of various materials. The Heritage Preservation Kit provides materials to separate items.

• Ensure your Heritage Time Capsule is dry.

• Fill your Heritage Time Capsule with your desired objects. Place the lid on top of your Heritage Time Capsule. Tighten down the lid or cover.

• Open the site in preparation for the burial ceremony. Excavate the ground to approximately 4 feet below the surface. The dirt remaining after removing excess should be used to fill the hole.

• Lower your Heritage Time Capsule into the ground and replace the dirt above and around your Capsule.

• If purchased, place your Heritage Medallion on top of the exaction site to mark the location of your Heritage Time Capsule.

• With the input of other participants, determine what people would like to put in your Heritage Time Capsule.

• Estimate the dimensions of your largest item. Add an additional 2"-4" inches for each dimension, so that the Heritage Time Capsule can be readily closed.

• Leave room for additional items.

• Sizes typically vary according to the number of individuals that are expected to contribute to your Heritage Time Capsule:
  
  
  1. Individual: The “Personal Series” is typically OK
  2. Family: Small
  3. Small organization (<100): Medium
  4. Larger organization (>100): Large
     

• Heritage Time Capsules offers products in three different materials:
  
  
  1. Composite
  2. Aluminum
  3. Stainless Steel

• Each of these materials has specific attributes that ensure the configuration matches the environmental, performance, geometric, and budget requirements.

Heritage Time Capsules offers its products in 2 primary configurations:

• Cylinder: described with diameter and height, these cylinders have flat bottoms with the opening on the top.

• Box shape: described with length x width x depth, these capsules are convenient shapes for both underground and above earth storage.

To select the right geometric configuration for your Heritage Time Capsule consider this:

• Where will your Heritage Time Capsule will be stored and the size of the items to be placed in your Heritage Time Capsule.

• If your Heritage Time Capsule is replacing an existing time capsule, consider the size constraints of the area where it will be placed.

• If your Heritage Time Capsule will be stored in the corner stone of a building, ask your architect which shape he or she would prefer.

• If your Heritage Time Capsule is going to be buried in the ground, shape will simply be a personal preference.
  

• Choose a lead person to organize the Heritage Time Capsule and the ceremony.

• Create a small committee to assist the lead person.

• Send out a communication to people in your organization to submit items to put in your Heritage Time Capsule. Be sure there is a dead-line.

• Set a date for your ceremony.

• Send out press releases and invite local officials including the Mayor, Pastor, Dean, or other dignitaries of your community.

• If the dedication/ ceremony occurs before your Heritage Time Capsule is sealed, a display of the items can be interesting for onlookers.

• Present a short written speech describing the meaning of the most important items in your Heritage Time Capsule.

• Involve families and children.

• Many groups purchase a Heritage Stone Medallion to mark the location of their Heritage Time Capsule.

• Don’t forget to invite the local newspaper and television networks. Your Heritage Time Capsule Ceremony will be an event that brings your community together.
  

• The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Museum contain some of the most treasured artifacts in world history. They make every accommodation possible to ensure the artifacts are preserved to “Museum Quality”, including temperature control, humidity control, air purification, light inhibition, and physical protections.

• Although the artifacts in your Heritage Time Capsule will not include the Constitution, the first American flag, or a fine piece of art, there are some things that can be used which will dramatically improve the level of preservation for the items in your Heritage Time Capsule.

• The Heritage Preservation Kit includes:
  
  
  • Archival Marking pencil: fadeproof
  • Polyester L-seal envelopes
  • Permanent Bond, Letter size paper, Buffered
  • Micro Chamber Envelope: for storage of photos
  • Foam Pouches: to separate items
  • Resealable Static Pouch: for storage of DVD’s or CD’s
  • Desiccant Pack: to absorb any inherent moisture in the items stored