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City of Long Beach to Open 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule After 50 Years Underground

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - In a celebration of the city's rich history, the City of Long Beach and the Historical Society of Long Beach will be opening a time capsule that was buried 50 years ago during the United States Bicentennial celebration. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the Long Beach City Hall Council Chambers.

The time capsule was originally placed outside the previous Long Beach City Hall on July 4, 1976, as part of the dedication ceremony for the former City Hall and Long Beach Public Library. It was created as a way for residents to capture their hopes for the future and make a promise between generations.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his excitement for this event, stating that "a time capsule is more than just a collection of artifacts, it's a window into our past and a recommitment to building an even brighter future for generations to come." He also emphasized the importance of looking back at our history as a guidepost for growth and evolution as a community.

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City leaders and representatives from the Historical Society of Long Beach will offer brief remarks before unveiling the contents of the time capsule. Among these items are Bicentennial flags, newspapers and publications from 1976, and handwritten letters from local elementary school students reflecting on life and their hopes for the future. Several residents who wrote letters as elementary school students in 1976 will also be in attendance to read their messages aloud.

Cathy De Leon, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture for Long Beach, highlighted the significance of this event in celebrating the city's history. "As a city, we have such a fascinating and storied local history to celebrate," she said. "Hopefully by looking at the past, we're not only able to reminisce about where we've been but also use that history as a guidepost to continue growing and evolving as a community."

The time capsule also contains items that have been carefully stored for the past 50 years, including 1976 yearbooks from local high schools and surprise gifts for the mayor and his wife. In total, there are over 84 items in the capsule, providing a unique glimpse into life in Long Beach in 1976.

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The event is being hosted by the Office of Mayor Rex Richardson, The City Manager's Office, the Long Beach Public Library, and the Department of Technology and Innovation. It is also supported by various organizations such as the Historical Society of Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos, and the Arts Council for Long Beach.

Julie Bartolloto, Executive Director of the Long Beach Historical Society, spoke about the significance of this time capsule in preserving a piece of Long Beach's past. "The 1976 bicentennial time capsule offers a window into Long Beach's past," she said. "Its most striking contents may be everyday items that now read as artifacts of a very different time."

This event is part of the Seeds of Resilience initiative, which aims to deepen residents' understanding of the histories that have shaped Long Beach as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary. The initiative will culminate in an event on September 22, 2026, where residents will come together to honor the city's diverse living history through art, performances, and storytelling.

As we open this time capsule from 50 years ago, we are reminded of how far Long Beach has come and are inspired to continue building a resilient and vibrant community for generations to come.

Filed Under: Government, City
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