Peoria places 2026 time capsule inside city hall to be removed in a century

Two workers with Otto Baum Construction place the 2026 Peoria time capsule inside the cornerstone of City Hall. It's the same location the 1897 time capsule was placed in, and discovered in 2025. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)

PEORIA, Ill. – Mementos from Peoria’s present to be found by its future have been buried inside City Hall.

City leaders held a ceremony Tuesday morning to place the 2026 time capsule inside the building. It’s buried in the same location that a time capsule from 1897 was discovered during renovations last year.

More than 100 items have been placed in the 2026 time capsule, of which they were sealed away in a welded copper box.

Items in the time capsule include letters from members of the community, lapel pins, a City of Peoria flag, patches and commemorative coins from the police and fire departments, photographs, and remarks made from the opening of the 1897 capsule.

Mayor Rita Ali says she hopes the new time capsule sends a message of resilience to Peoria’s future residents.

“I want them to look back at the progress that has been made, and then to take into consideration what’s happening at that time, 100 years into the future,” Ali said.

The 2026 time capsule is planned to be removed and opened in 2126. The 1897 capsule was discovered without any timeframe on when to find it and open it. Ali says instructions have been left to the city leaders of the future for the 2026 capsule.