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Time Capsule
Contents of Historic 1897 Time Capsule Revealed
Event held on November 2 included artifacts including newspapers, photos, and a buckeye
The City of Peoria announced the opening of a historic time capsule dating back to the construction of the building. The capsule was placed in the cornerstone on the northwest side of the building on November 2, 1897, and was believed to contain a variety of items from the community. It was removed earlier this year while the façade of the building was being repaired.
According to a Peoria Herald article from 1897, the capsule was expected to include a city directory, a copy of the city code, local newspapers, business cards, photographs, speeches from former mayors, and even a buckeye, among other historical treasures.
“Time capsules are more than just containers of artifacts. They are messages from the past, created by the people who lived here more than a century ago,” said Mayor Rita Ali. “Because this capsule belongs to the people of Peoria, it was only fitting that our community came together to witness its opening and reflect on how far we’ve come.”
Members of the public gathered on Sunday, November 2, at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water Street, to witness the opening of the time capsule. The event marked the 128th anniversary of its placement. A short program preceded the unveiling and featured representatives from the Peoria Historical Society, Peoria Public Library Local History Collection, Bradley University Special Collections, and the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Prior to the opening, the capsule was displayed on the first floor of Peoria City Hall, 419 Fulton Street.
Time capsules hold a special place in preserving local history, offering future generations an authentic snapshot of community life, culture, and values from the past. They connect people across time and inspire reflection on what has endured and what has changed.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to view the video from the opening ceremony.
The public is also encouraged to participate in the 2026 Time Capsule Project by visiting Peoria City Hall to fill out a card sharing what they love about Peoria. These cards will be placed in a new time capsule to be sealed in City Hall in 2026.
- 1 Gloved hands hold a document over a time capsule that reads "City of Peoria" at the top.
- 2 A woman speaks behind a podium in front of a large slide.
- 3 Men and women applaud in their seats in an audience,
- 4 A large audience of people look on in anticipation.
- 5 Documents and artifacts from 1897 sit an a table.
- 6 Three women and a man smile while posing in front of a time capsule sitting on a table.
- 7 A crowd of people look and take photos at a table with artifacts from a time capsule on it.
- 8 Two women hold up an open time capsule and smile as people mill about behind them.
- 9 A group of people look at and take photos of a table with artifacts from 1897 on it.
- 10 An open time capsule sits on a table with an American flag on top.
- 11 A bishop standing behind a podium speaks to a crowd with a slide of Biship J.L. Spalding behind him.
- 12 A man wearing gloves looks down at a document that he pulled out of a time capsule.
- 13 A series of City Hall Sketches are lined up on poster boards.
- 14 A man in a suite and tie speaks to a crowd behind a podium with a slide of Lydia M. Bradley behind.
- 15 A model of a historic building in a case.
- 16 A string quartet performs while sitting and reading music on music stands.
- 17 A crowd of people look on and take photos and videos on their phones.
- 18 A group of people in a line observe historic artifacts on a table.
- 19 A man wearing a Peoria Public Works shirt opens a time capsule with a drill.
- 20 A large screen shows a man hands as he sorts through the contents of a time capsule.