World's Largest Time Capsule

A photo opportunity at the official location for Guinness World Records' winner of World's Largest Time Capsule.

The first time capsule that was placed (publicly) in the United States was during the New York World Fair. Harold Davisson loved the idea but noticed placement was often disappointing as viewers don’t get to see the contents until the designated time. Many inclusions seem also meaningless, dedicated by a committee rather than personal possessions and stories. The Davisson family was known for odd objects in and around their household, such as a concrete Indian and winged bomb, and Harold hoped to continue their special heritage in this time capsule.

Harold wanted each generation after him to have a unique and tangible set of history, so he set up a 5,000 piece collection, one of which was a full-size car ( a Chevy Vega). The “crypt” is forty-five tons and was buried in his front yard in Seward, Nebraska. This capsule was sealed and buried on July 4th, 1975, and was officially entered in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1977 as the largest time capsule in the world. This historic vault is to be opened on July 4th, 2025.

Following the admission to the Guinness Book of World Records, a university in Georgia contested the decision with their Crypt of Civilization—a room that had been locked since 1940. The debate caused the Guinness board holders to drop the category from future publications. Harold was stubborn and protected his title by creating a second capsule, built on top of his first one encased in a concrete pyramid. Included in this one is a second car - a 1975 of an undisclosed brand. Harold died in 1999 and his family maintains the property until the capsule is to be opened.