1976-2026 Time Capsule
1976 Time Capsule opened 50 years later
Letter written in 1976 to the "Dear Citizens of 'The Chosen Spot,"
Dear Citizens of “The Chosen Spot,”
Greetings in 2026; We the people of Canandaigua in the Bicentennial Year, 1976, send you our warmest wish and some reminders of your past.
This year, our country’s 200th birthday, has been a very exciting and special one. We have landed on Mars and are examining the soil and topography. We are anxiously awaiting the November results of a Presidential election year. (Has their been a woman President yet?!) Our troops are not fighting anywhere in the world.
These are all national events which you undoubtedly know about because of history. We wish to give you a glimpse of what our lives were like back in 1976.
The idea of a time capsule containing mementos of this year came originally from the students. They wish to preserve a bit of our current lives to present to you in the future. Many of the items in the capsule were donated by them. The idea caught on in the community and many people contributed ideas and artifacts.
There is no way we can completely give you a picture of what we were like. It is hard to bundle up humor, determination and pride. There are intangible items, and the capsule can only contain tangible mementos.
Many of us plan on being around when the capsule is opened. It will be exciting for us to again see what we thought were significant items back in 1976.
We hope they are nostalgic and interesting to you, but more important, may they serve to remind you of the previous citizens of your community who were not only proud of their past, but equally proud of their future.
With every best wish to all of you,
The People of Canandaigua, 1976
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1976 Bicentennial Parade, Main Street, Canandaigua -
Canandaigua Elementary School -
Letter from 1976 from the time capsule -
1976 Bicentennial Parade, Main Street, Canandaigua -
Mr. Dennis Brewer with students -
Honorary Chairs - Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Ellis
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September 12, 1976 Capsule Buried -
Bicentennial Sticker from 1976, Canandaigua, New York -
Letter that was buried for 50 years -
Coins donated by Joel & Harriet Radin -
Unearthing the time capsule in 2026 -
1976 Bicentennial Parade, Main Street, Canandaigua
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Unearthing the Time Capsule on July 20, 2026 -
Mayor T. Hamilton Kennedy, Dedication Ceremony 1976 -
1976 Bicentennial Parade, Main Street, Canandaigua -
Rose Comella, chair of the Bicentennial Committee and Preston Pierce from the committee -
Burial of the Time Capsule from 1976 near Pickering Rock -
Bicentennial Announcement from Canandaigua Primary School, sent in my Newkirk Johnson
1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule is Opened in 2026
Fifty years ago, during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration, Canandaigua residents buried a time capsule filled with mementos and a message for future generations. On September 12, 1976, the capsule was buried near Pickering Rock outside the Ontario County Courthouse on Main Street, with plans to open it 50 years later.
That moment arrived on July 20, 2026, when representatives from the Canandaigua City School District, the Ontario County Historical Society and Ontario County gathered to unearth the capsule.
Water had damaged many of the items inside, but some artifacts survived. Photographs and records carefully preserved by retired Canandaigua elementary teacher Dennis Brewer also helped tell the story of the project and the community that created it. The recovered items are now on display at the Ontario County Historical Society.
The project began with Canandaigua students, who wanted to preserve a piece of their lives for future generations. Community members soon joined in, contributing artifacts and ideas. The 1976 Bicentennial was a major community celebration, featuring plays, a lengthy parade, special events and activities throughout Canandaigua.
In their letter to the future, the people of Canandaigua wrote, “We hope they are nostalgic and interesting to you, but more important, may they serve to remind you of the previous citizens of your community who were not only proud of their past, but equally proud of their future.” Fifty years later, their message has come full circle. The surviving artifacts offer a glimpse into Canandaigua in 1976—and a reminder that the stories and pride of a community can connect generations long after they are gone.
Note:
A special thank you to Preston Pierce ’64, a member of the 1976 Bicentennial Committee, for narrating this video.
We also thank retired Canandaigua Elementary School and Canandaigua Middle School teacher Dennis Brewer for his efforts to preserve Canandaigua’s history. Dennis saved materials from the 1976 Bicentennial Committee meetings and was involved in creating the time capsule in 1976, helping ensure these pieces of our community’s past could be shared today.