The City of Peoria announced the opening of a historic time capsule dating back to the construction of the building. The capsule was placed in the cornerstone on the northwest side of the building on November 2, 1897, and was believed to contain a variety of items from the community. It was removed in August 2025 while the façade of the building was being repaired.
According to a Peoria Herald article from 1897, the capsule was expected to include a city directory, a copy of the city code, local newspapers, business cards, photographs, speeches from former mayors, and even a buckeye, among other historical treasures.
“Time capsules are more than just containers of artifacts. They are messages from the past, created by the people who lived here more than a century ago,” said Mayor Rita Ali. “Because this capsule belongs to the people of Peoria, it was only fitting that our community came together to witness its opening and reflect on how far we’ve come.”
Members of the public gathered on Sunday, November 2, at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water Street, to witness the opening of the time capsule. The event marked the 128th anniversary of its placement. A short program preceded the unveiling and featured representatives from the Peoria Historical Society, Peoria Public Library Local History Collection, Bradley University Special Collections, and the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Prior to the opening, the capsule was displayed on the first floor of Peoria City Hall, 419 Fulton Street.
Time capsules hold a special place in preserving local history, offering future generations an authentic snapshot of community life, culture, and values from the past. They connect people across time and inspire reflection on what has endured and what has changed.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to view the video from the opening ceremony.
The public is also encouraged to participate in the 2026 Time Capsule Project by visiting Peoria City Hall to fill out a card sharing what they love about Peoria. These cards will be placed in a new time capsule to be sealed in City Hall in 2026.