Friday Fun Fact: World’s first updatable time capsule belongs to….





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...Washington, of course!

This unique Centennial Time Capsule rests in the State Capitol on the first floor and consists of 16 stainless steel containers. The first container, dated 1989, is filled with artifacts and information about Washington and will not be opened until the year 2389.

Every 25 years, beginning in 2014, the capsule will be opened and one of the 15 remaining containers will be filled with items of interest to the people of the future.All 16 containers are scheduled to be opened on November 11, 2389, to mark Washington’s 500th anniversary of statehood.

The Keepers are a group of over 200 people, born in November, 1979 and were sworn in by Secretary of State Ralph Monro on November 11, 1989. Their job is to make sure the capsule is well taken care of; to be in charge of opening and filling the next container in 2014 and to recruit another generation of Keepers to carry on the task for the next 25 years.

The first container contains items such as a 1989 Frederick & Nelson Christmas catalog, a sterling silver 747 pin from Boeing, The Daily Olympia newspaper on microfilm for the month of November, 1989, confidential letters written by the Governor and many more items.
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs

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Image of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

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