VINCENNES, Ind. ( We Are Knox County) – In Vincennes, history isn’t just being remembered — it’s being preserved.
This week, the community came together to create a time capsule, sealing away everyday items that will give future generations a glimpse of life in 2025.
The capsule includes items such as newspaper clippings, school year books, local restaurant menus, toys, real estate listings, visitor guidebooks, and even a Happy Meal box.
Janice Barniak, executive director of the Vincennes and Knox County Tourism Bureau, said the idea grew out of the 2024 solar eclipse.
“We celebrate a lot of big events in Vincennes,” Barniak said.
“But what we don’t always do is celebrate them with something that lasts.”
Ten babies born in Knox County within the last year were named trustees of the capsule.
Their mothers each wrote a letter that will remain sealed until the capsule is opened decades from now.
“If you think about it, 2100 is only 75 years away — it’s not that far,” Barniak told WAKC News Now.
“Think of how different life in Vincennes is today compared to 1950. We look back at that as the golden age, but for all we know, we’re living the golden age right now.”
The community had the chance to view all of the items at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum attended and read a proclamation, which was also placed inside.
The event concluded with a walk to the Knox County Courthouse for a group photo.
Both the photo and the names of everyone present will be preserved in the capsule.
Local historian and high school teacher Norbert Brown helped lead the project.
He encouraged his students to think carefully about what they wanted to share with the future.
“A lot of students wanted to tell people about the video games they play today or their Monster Energy drinks,” Brown said.
“But some wanted to include their family history or even a family tree.”
One of his students, Quinlen Williams, included a photo of his grandfather and a pocketknife that belonged to him.
“He [Brown] intrigued me with the time capsule,” Williams said.
“I hope my future grandchildren will see what my grandfather left behind.”
Brown contributed as well, adding memory sticks filled with photos and documents to capture both the city’s past and present.
Reflecting on the project, Brown said he learned how significance changes across generations.
“I’ve learned with my students that things that don’t feel important to me are significant to them,” he said.
“Like a place built in the 1980s that’s been torn down — they’ll say, ‘I can’t believe that place is gone, that place was great.’ It’s very much a generational thing, what people get emotionally or sentimentally attached to.”
Brown also left a message for those who will one day open the capsule: “This is a good time to live in. This is genuinely a gift and a goodwill wish to the future inhabitants of the land we are stewards of.”
The time capsule will be buried in front of the Tade Building at Minooteeni Park, located at the north end of the Vincennes river walk.
Brown said it was a rewarding experience to bring the community together in a lasting way.
“I appreciate everyone’s input, and I hope the people in the future enjoy it.”
This story was provided by We Are Knox County.
