“The Secret of the Lost Time Capsule,” Iowa Magazine, June 2019
“The Best Way to Find a Time Capsule”
Some thoughts on time capsule hunting, from a recent interview with Atlas Obscura.
On January 27, 2017, I gave a talk (via skype) on the politics of commemoration, as part of the San Diego Art Institute’s public art series, “Parkeology.” The occasion was the opening of a time capsule in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
Unpacking the past

After several years studying the history of time capsules, I had the opportunity last week to be involved in the opening of one. A bronze chest, sealed on Wall Street in 1914 but forgotten for several decades, was belatedly opened at the New-York Historical Society, in the presence of a large crowd. I served as a historical consultant in the planning stages and speaker at the opening ceremony.
The story is described in more detail in the following articles:
Photos of the event can be viewed here:

There are videos of the event here:
Associated Press / Telegraph (UK)
