The Park Theatre placed a cultural time capsule into the ground Saturday to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, concluding a three-day community fair.

A copy of the July 2, 2026 issue of the Ledger-Transcript and other fliers to be put in the capsule. Credit: Courtesy
A copy of Conant High School’s yearbook goes in the capsule. Credit: Courtesy
Brian Witham seals the time capsule. Credit: Courtesy
Park Theatre CEO Steve Jackson speaks about the time capsule. Credit: Courtesy
Marilyn Simon checks the time seal on the capsule. Credit: Courtesy

The hermetically sealed container was buried at 2:50 p.m. on the Fourth of July in the Bernie & Louise Watson Garden on the River Street side of the theatre. A permanent bronze marker will identify the site with instructions for the capsule to be opened in 100 years on July 4, 2126.

Organizers originally planned to use a metal capsule, but switched to a larger box container to accommodate the high volume of submissions. The Jaffrey Historical Society partnered with the theatre to select the items, which were recommended by residents of the Monadnock region to represent contemporary local life.

The contents include:

  • The July 2, 2026, issue of the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript.
  • Local store sales flyers for Belletetes, Dollar General and the Monadnock Co-Op.
  • A 2026/1976 commemorative nickel and a penny.
  • A Cathedral of the Pines medallion.
  • A Conant High School 2026 yearbook.
  • CD recordings by local musicians Bernie Watson, Eve Pierce and Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson.
  • A MilliporeSigma laboratory beaker.
  • Maps of Jaffrey and brochures for local landmarks, including the Melville School, Jaffrey Civic Center, Jaffrey Woman’s Club and the Little Red Schoolhouse.
  • More than 100 personal postcards containing messages from current residents to future generations.

The time capsule project was sponsored by Nero Wealth Group.