Oklahoma Time Capsule Accepting Submissions

[OK Time Capsule]

Oklahoma will be sealing a Centennial time capsule on Nov. 10, 2007. The event takes place at Veterans Park in Tulsa on November 10 from 12PM to 2PM. The event is family-friendly and open to the public.  

The primary attraction of the time capsule contents will be a 2007 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle donated by Myers-Duren Harley-Davidson.  In addition to the motorcycle, schools, organizations, clubs, businesses, and Oklahoma citizens can now donate items that represent the year 2007 for inclusion in the Oklahoma Centennial Time Capsule.

Schools can reserve one free miniature capsule per school. They can also submit two-dimensional items that can fit in a standard first class 13 inch by 10 inch envelope.

Limited edition miniature time capsules are for sale at www.oktimecapsule.com for inclusion in the capsule. They are 12 inch by 3 inch in diameter for $300 or 12 inch by 1 inch in diameter for $100. All profits from the sale of miniature capsules will go directly to event day costs and allow for Oklahoma schools and non-profit organizations to donate items free of charge.

Commemorative bricks will also be available for $100. The bricks, which can be personalized with a short message or names, will form a pathway to the Centennial Time Capsule at Veterans Park.

The miniature time capsules must be registered for online or by phone and will be available for pickup beginning Saturday, October 6 at Junior League Headquarters, 3633 South Yale from 1pm to 3pm. Brick can also be purchased at that time. Additional drop off dates can be found at www.oktimecapsule.com.

The capsule will be placed above ground at Veterans Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 10, 2007 to celebrate Oklahoma's centennial anniversary and will be unveiled by the states' next generation in 2057.  

The primary vessel will be a 15' by 5 ½' carbon steel pressure vessel seal-welded and charged with an inert gas to preserve the contents.  The construction is very similar to the small capsule which had spent many years under water in the 1957 time capsule.  The contents of this small capsule were well-preserved and citizens in 2057 should find all contents in this capsule equally as well-preserved.

Final design of the vault structure in which the vessel will rest for the next 50 years is nearing completion.

[sgrizzle]

How will the gas in the capsules effect the miniature tubes? Will the mini tubes be sealed and keep a normal oxygen mixture or will they also be loaded with inert gas?

[OK Time Capsule]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

How will the gas in the capsules effect the miniature tubes? Will the mini tubes be sealed and keep a normal oxygen mixture or will they also be loaded with inert gas?

The miniature capsules are made from PVC and will be sealed without a charge of inert gas.  The contents will be fine with normal atmosphere in them.  

The smaller capsule in the vault outside the courthouse was simply seal welded with a stainless steel sleeve to protect the contents while welding it shut and the contents were in pretty much pristine condition when opened.  That vessel did not have an inert gas charge.

[patric]

Any concerns about the long-term effects of PVC glue (that might be used to seal the smaller capsules) as it ages?

[ttownclown]

I suggest we put one of those fancy acorn style street lights in the capsule just for patric. j/k

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

I suggest we put one of those fancy acorn style street lights in the capsule just for patric. j/k

They will probably have torn them all out well before then realizing they werent the right thing to do. If you put one in the time capsule the people of that time may have forgotten that and go. "Oh wow, look at this neat light. Wouldn't it be nice to put them all over town like they did in the old days?" Then Patric would turn over in his grave. lol

[TheArtist]

Ok, I am going to go out on a limb here. Here is one version of what the Centennial Time Capsule will be placed inside of. It will be part of a Centennial Time Plaza. We initially had the idea of just building a box shape around the vessel. But the "people who approve" things did not like it saying it looked like a tomb. We added a bench in front of it and a balustrade on the sides with some nice planters... they said it still looked like a tomb. Then I had the idea of placing a giant sundial on top. They said it looked like a tomb with a giant sundial on top lol. They liked the sundial but jut not the plane box. Seems they really want everything to be underground. We wanted the box to be above ground so as not to worry about how to drain an underground area and build a water tight, cement, underground box. Because of the size of the pressure vessel, the "box" around it has to be about 8 feet tall by 14 feet across the front. Also we are raising the money ourselves and asking for volunteers to donate material and time so something above ground would be cheaper and easier to do.

This idea I am showing you all now has the box just 2 feet underground then with a bench/planter placed around it to minimize the "boxiness". I am trying to come up with some idea they will like that isnt completely underground so that was one compromise idea.  The other idea is completely above ground and has some stepped planters to break up the boxy toumb look. We are hoping to get this placed off of Boulder in Veterans Park. The idea for what goes around the pressure vessel, time capsule still, has to be approved. The Centennial Sundial idea also has to be approved by the arts commission and others as well. So you all are getting a sneak peak at what may, possibly, happen. The whole thing has gone through several complete transformations and changes. So who knows. We wanted to do something that wasnt just a mound or buried underground. We figure if your going to go to all the effort to raise money and build something, why not do a little bit extra and build something that will make a statement, look nice and be enjoyed. Hope I dont get in trouble for posting these lol. Oh, and please excuse my limited computer rendering skills.






Also, the celebration and time capsule closing will be done on Nov 10th. That is too short a time to get the enclosure built around it and the Sundial built and approved. I hope that we will be able to get approval and the stuff built by or in the spring. Ugh the processes ya have to go through.

[OK Time Capsule]

quote:Originally posted by patric

Any concerns about the long-term effects of PVC glue (that might be used to seal the smaller capsules) as it ages?

Patric, that was discussed early on, and it was determined that it wasn't enough a concern.  The thinking is the inert gas charge in the pressure vessel will neutralize or prevent any detrimental effects from PVC glue.

I'll post photos of the vessel coming together over the next couple of weeks.