Dunedin Dedicates Time Capsule at City Hall for 2072
Published on July 12, 2023
Posted 7/12/23
Staff Writer: Nicole Delfino
Department: City Manager
Category: Miscellaneous
A small crowd gathered on a rainy Tuesday morning to celebrate the encapsulation of the City of Dunedin Time Capsule installed on July 11, 2023 and set to be opened on January 25, 2072, also known as Burns Night. The date to open the capsule was selected with significance as a nod to Dunedin’s Scottish heritage and the most celebrated Scottish bard, Robert Burns. The capsule itself has been installed on the exterior of the City Hall building in the north west corner. The capsule resting place was designed into the building exterior to maintain a dry environment and sealed with a limestone slab and a bronze plaque. The plaque reads, “Nae man can tether time or tide”, a quote by famed poet Burn. The plaque wording is particularly relevant on a message from the past to the future, as it means that time will not wait for anyone or anything, it keeps moving forward.
The time capsule includes a note from City leadership to the future Dunedin, hoping to bestow upon those readers in 2072 the strong and vibrant vision we work to build in Dunedin every day. An excerpt from the letter reads, “We hope you can see, through our selection of items and information detailed, how much love we have for our community and how much pride we have in the serving, protecting, and preserving our unique Dunedin. This work couldn’t be done without all of the dedicated public servants through all the many years that have taken us from the Dunedin of 2023 to the Dunedin of 2072.” Well wishes for the future Dunedin are included as well as the hope that the work we are doing today is building a strong foundation for tomorrow.
A sample of items within the capsule range from historical books, photos, maps, Blue Jays program guide, Chamber of Commerce Directory, a fun-facts sheet on 2023, a library card, Covid-19 mask, fire department memorabilia, Scottish organization contributions, Dunedin Fine Art ceramic and art recognition items, the Juneteenth and Pride proclamations, this week’s Beacon and Publix add, just to name a few. The capsule was bursting with history and information we hope the future will find useful, shine some light on decisions made in 2023 and bring a smile or a laugh.
While we won’t know who or what will be here 50 years in the future, we hope some of our youngest event attendees will come back to unearth the capsule and discover all of the items inside. We hope the memories and history buried here will bring fond memories for all who will attend the opening ceremony. And of course, our greatest hope is that 2072 is better than ever for Dunedin’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
You can read the full letter from City leadership, the Supplemental document, and the entire contents in the documents below.