Preservation and Archives Professionals

How do I Preserve Documents in a Time Capsule?

The success or failure of a time capsule is dependent on a number of factors: the material the container is made of; the ability of the container to maintain a seal; the environment within the container; the selection, deterioration and interaction of the enclosed artifacts; and the microorganisms that may proliferate within the container under conditions favorable to their growth.

For references and suggestions on how to construct a time capsule, where to buy one, what to put in it, and how to protect the contents, see the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education's (formerly known as the Conservation Analytical Lab) web page on Time Capsules.

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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
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