Our Story Continues: Family Time Capsule

You’ve completed Civic Quest, but your journey doesn’t end here. Our national story continues, and so does yours! Help us memorialize this chapter of American history during the nation’s 250th anniversary by participating in the Civic Quest Time Capsule Challenge, a special opportunity to reflect on your family’s civic story and contribute to a museum exhibit.

How It Works

Your family is invited to submit a short video sharing what you would place in a time capsule, and how those items capture your civic spark story: those small but powerful moments that awaken lifelong curiosity, draw us into the American story, and inspire us to carry it forward. Your capsule might include meaningful mementos, symbols of family traditions, everyday objects, or written or recorded reflections that express who you are and how your family sees its role in our shared national story.

From the national submissions, the National Constitution Center will select 5 families to receive an official NCC Time Capsule Kit. Assembled time capsules will then be preserved at the NCC as part of our ongoing effort to capture how Americans understand themselves and their civic identities at this moment in history. All 5 selected families will be invited to bring their completed time capsules to the NCC on July 4, 2026, for a special America at 250 family event. They will also be invited back in September 2037 for the 250th anniversary of the Constitution, where a special ceremony will invite families to reopen their time capsules and reflect on a decade of national milestones and their own family’s civic formation along the way.

Instructions

Choose Your Items

As a family, select a few meaningful items you'd place in your time capsule—objects that help tell your family's story.

Record Your Family Video

Record a 2–4 minute video introducing your family and the items you would place in your time capsule. Keep the camera steady and ensure everyone is clearly visible and audible and share a brief explanation of why you chose each item.

Upload and Submit

Upload your completed video using the submission link below.

Make your family’s story part of our shared national narrative!