The Archer Library time capsule is 49 years away from being unveiled
On June 30 1994, in celebration of the University of Regina’s 20th anniversary, a time capsule was set up outside Archer Library. It will be there until the University’s 100th anniversary in 2074.
Have you ever wondered what was inside of it?
Some of the contents are known, but one of the three posters of the contents that were made is missing, leaving room for speculation.
Another question I would like to ask is why 100 years? Why not 50? I feel like it would have been great for a student from 1994, to be able to see the items they put in be unveiled at an older age.
Unfortunately, these students will be around 120-130 years old when it is actually opened. It is possible those in charge thought 50 years was too soon.
Now that we know when it will be released, let’s analyze the contents.
Contributions from former University President
Donald Wells was the President of the university in 1994 and oversaw the time capsule’s inception. Wells and his family contributed a few items to the capsule. This included a letter written by Well’s wife, children and himself.
As their favourite activity was camping, the Wells family contributed live mosquitos, an outdoor hat fitted with mosquito netting, a box of Snackwell’s Creme Sandwich Cookies, Donald Wells’ business card, a 1994 convocation program and his speech for it, and a bottle of Watkins Insect Repellent Lotion.
Some intriguing items
Known for having a flare, it may not be surprising that the Faculty of Fine Arts and their departments contributed the most unique items to the time capsule.
They submitted some items that you would expect, such as various photographs, newsletters, brochures, and t-shirts.
Some departments within the faculty submitted more unconventional items. The Department of Film placed inside the capsule a student film called “Students (sic) Work”. The Theatre Department contributed a study guide and a drawing set for The Glass Menagerie.
The best items (in my opinion)
The U of R’s Centre of Continuing Education is the successor of the now defunct Faculty of Extension. The old faculty contributed a photo of its staff from 1994 to the time capsule.
Victor Cicansky and Jack Sures from the Department of Visual Arts made two different items to contribute to the capsule. Cicansky made a ceramic jar of pickles, while Sures made a ceramic jar with a lid containing four slides of the BFA Exhibition .
The high school liaison contributed a never-before-seen script for a play. The script’s content, including its title, are still unknown.
Pins and buttons are one of the most plentiful items in the time capsule. Campion College, the Faculty of Education, Language Institute, Faculty of Social Work, and the Alumni Services Office all have some in the time capsule.
Other items such as t-shirts, photographs of the campus, as well as pictures of graduates, students and faculty, are also contained in the capsule.
The time capsule acts as a physical snapshot of what life was like in 1994. Let’s take a look at what the year had to offer. – Eric Stachowich
The Missing Pieces
At the Dr. John Archer Library’s archives, they only have two of the three posters which display the capsule’s contents. A photograph was taken that includes all three posters at the original event for the time capsule. The contents of the missing poster is mostly illegible.
One thing I could make out was a letter from Doug Archer, the Mayor of Regina in 1994. I could also make out a brochure and letter from Luther College. The Department of Chemistry contributed an item, but I was unable to determine what it was due to the picture being blurry. The other contents are unknown, including which faculties independently contributed to the time capsule.
Based on what we know, it is safe to assume that the other faculties could have contributed items like buttons and pins, but it would be fun to speculate what could have been in it. What if the biology department preserved some sort of species in a jar? Maybe the engineering department built a robot? A cool thought now, but one that might horrify the people of 2074.
1994 had some bangers and some lows
The time capsule acts as a physical snapshot of what life was like in 1994. Let’s take a look at what the year had to offer.
In the world of film, 1994 in my opinion is the greatest year ever in terms of the quality of the films that were released. That year’s best picture winning movie was Forrest Gump. Other popular films include The Lion King, Pulp Fiction, Leon: The Professional, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ed Wood, True Lies, The Paper, Interview with a Vampire, Speed, and The Shawshank Redemption.
The longest running number one track of the year belonged to Boyz II Men, entitled “I’ll Make Love to You.” Other hit songs included “All I Want to Do”, “The Sign”, “The Power of Love”, and “All for Love”.
The Sony Playstation was released in Japan in 1994. They have since become a global sensation, with other five consoles having been released since.
It was a newsworthy year as well: OJ Simpson was arrested after the infamous car chase, the first GMO food was approved by the FDA (which was a tomato), Nelson Mandela was elected the President of South Africa, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon, and superstar baseball player Shohei Ohtani was born.
Conclusions
Is it better that we do not know all the contents of the time capsule? I think it is. It serves as a fun topic of speculation to talk about with your friends, family, and classmates. We can also use it as a reminder of how fast time can go and to cherish our moments with those we love.
It contains primary source evidence of the past and will give those in 2074, many who will not be born for 20, 30 or even 40 years, a chance to see what life was like.
Those of us who might be fortunate enough to be there, will hopefully have fond memories of the past by seeing it opened.
