Snippets of 2026 Placer County life sealed in time capsule to be opened in 2101

An Iphone. A Chevron gas station receipt. A flake of gold. Newspapers. An American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4 for the nation's 250th birthday. These are just a few of the items representing life in 2026 Placer County that were sealed in a time capsule Saturday following a grand ceremony at the historic Auburn courthouse. The time capsule, itself a historic 1878 safe, will remain sealed for 75 years, to be opened in 2101 as part of Placer County's 250th anniversary. "The capsule is more than a collection of objects. It's a message. It tells future residents what we valued, what we worried about, what we celebrated, what we hoped for. It gives them a glimpse of the ordinary lives that one day will be history," State Sen. Roger Niello said in a speech to the crowd gathered outside the courthouse Saturday. "[Historian David] McCullough reminded us that history is not merely about the past. It helps us understand who we are. By preserving a small part of our present, we are helping future generations understand their past, and in doing so, we hope to guide their future." The sealing of the time capsule commemorates Placer County's 175th anniversary. In addition to Niello, other speakers at Saturday's celebration included Placer County Supervisors Shanti Landon (District 2), Suzanne Jones (District 4) and Cindy Gustafson (District 5); Placer County Museums Administrator Bryanna Ryan, U.S. Congressman Kevin Kiley, representing California's 3rd Congressional District; Carol Cramer, Auburn City Historian, and Garen J. Horst, Placer County Superior Court judge. Museum docents dressed in period costume were on hand to share information with visitors touring the courthouse's first floor, now a museum dedicated to Placer County history. Upstairs are working Placer County Superior Court courtrooms and offices. Among those attending Saturday's ceremony was Jeff Darlington, executive director of the Placer County Land Trust, his mother, Carole Crandall Darlington, 84, of Auburn, and his son, Spencer Darlington, 16. According to Jeff Darlington, his mother commented, "Auburn and Placer County is in our blood. My grandparents settled in Penryn during the Dust Bowl. My parents met at Placer High School, and I've lived in Auburn all my life. It's really neat to see how much our community cares about its history." His son, he said, added, "I may need help up the stairs but I definitely plan to be here when the time capsule is opened." Placer County 2101 Time Capsule Inventory County of Placer 1. County of Placer: Resolution recognizing Placer County's 175th anniversary. 2. Placer County: County all staff signature book. Incudes signatures collected from departments/divisions throughout Placer County, messages and letters from department heads, division managers, and elected officials including Suzanne Jones, Anthony DeMattei, and Bonnie Gore among many others. 3. Placer County Board of Supervisors: Letter from Shanti Landon (District 2) – unsealed. 4. Placer County Board of Supervisors: Letter from Cindy Gustafson (District 5) – unsealed. 5. Placer County: 2026–2027 Adopted Budget; Budget in Brief booklet 6. 30th Tahoe Summit: Commemorative pin; commemorative coin. (District 5 event) 7. Roseville Veterans Mural Project: Flyer. (District 1 event) 8. Homeless Supply Drive: Flyer. (District 1 event) and two photos. 9. 9/11 Memorial: Flyer (District 1 event) 10. Placer County Air Pollution Control District: Annual report, 2026 Art Calendar; 11. Placer County Assessor: Sealed letter; Local Assessment Roll. 12. Placer County Clerk-Recorder: Two pins. 13. Placer County Clerk-Recorder / Registrar of Voters — Elections Division: Sealed letter. 14. Placer County Community Development Resource Agency: Sealed letter. 15. Placer County Fire Department:Sealed Letter; business card; commemorative coin. 16. Placer County Department of General Services: Sealed letter. 17. Placer CountyHealth and Human Services Department: Unsealed letter; Strategic Plan; Annual Report; commemorative coin; flyer for Tuition Reimbursement Policy. 18. Placer County Library Services: Sealed letter; signed copy of Library's Grand Reopening program August 22, 2026 19. Placer County Museums: Sealed letter; brochure; ephemera from 2026 events; vial with gold flake. 20. Placer County Museums — Living History Program: Two receipts for program purchases. 21. Placer County Museums – Time Capsule Youth Activity: Children's drawings. 22. Placer County Office of Economic Development:Comstock's magazine and Placer Valleymagazine featuring America's 250th birthday and Placer County's 175th anniversary. 23. Placer County Department of Public Works: Sealed letter. 24. Placer County Department of Public Works: Unsealed letter; one piece of reinforced steel recovered during the Highway 49 Bridge Debris Removal Project. 25. Placer County Department of Public Works — Placer Parkway: One Placer Parkway Phase 1 Groundbreaking commemorative coin; soil sample from the groundbreaking event. 26. Placer County Document Solutions: Letter – unsealed; 175 logo items. 27. Placer County Probation Department: Sealed letter. 28. Placer County Public Information Office: Pins; stickers; patches; brochures; Track & Field Championship program; commemorative coin; T-shirt; fanny pack; poster; photographs; hard drive; StoryCorps interviews. 29. Placer County Sheriff: Wooden box containing unknown contents. 30. Placer County Sheriff's Office — Tahoe Station: Patches; challenge coin. 31. Placer County Treasurer: Three 2026 commemorative quarters inside display case 32. Placer County Water Agency: Unsealed letter from Andy Fecko, General Manager; Poster, AI generated imagining the year 2100 33. 175th Time Capsule Event: Guest book; program; invitation; commemorative pin; stickers; and medallion. City Contributors 34. City of Auburn: Proclamation recognizing 175th of Auburn as County Seat signed by Mayor, Kelley Davis; Unsealed letter written by AI; Fire Department sealed letter, challenge coin and patch; Police Department challenge coin and patch; City of Auburn pin with seal; City Historian, Carol Cramer, business card; Strategic Plan brochure; Photograph of current City Council (first all-female City Council in Auburn); Official Map and Business Directory; Endurance Capital publication. 35. City of Colfax: Unsealed letter. 36. City of Lincoln: Sealed letter. 37. City of Loomis:Letter and commemorative items. 38. City of Rocklin: Letter; proclamation; and piece of granite. 39. City of Roseville: Two sealed letters; two commemorative coins; one coaster. Community Partners & Organizations 40. Auburn Journal: April 25–26, 2026 an October 10, 2026 newspaper editions. 41. Auburn Journal Office: Brochures; booklets. 42. Eureka #16 Masonic Lodge — Auburn: Sealed letter. 43. Foresthill Divide Museum and Historical Society: Brochure; shot glass; two Forest Hill Courier newsletters; The Foresthill Messenger newspaper; Brew Master Deli menu; Brew Master Deli hat. 44. Lincoln Highway Association: Sealed letter. 45. Native Sons of the Golden West, Auburn Parlor #59: Newspaper; NSGW passport; COVID-19 mask; belt buckle; ribbons; brochures; Funeral Ceremonies book; booklet; patch; historical articles. 46. Placer County Genealogical Society: Sealed letter. 47. Placer County Historical Society: Sealed letter; brochures; printed photographs. 48. Placer High School: Segment of the Earl Grabbe Gymnasium floor; brochure. 49. Placer LGBTQ Center: Sticker; magnet. 50. Western States Trail Museum: Two sealed letters. Individual Contributors 51. Representative Kevin Kiley: Flag flown over U.S. Capitol, July 4, 2026 commemorating nation's 250th anniversary 52. Senator Roger Niello: Booklet for 2025-26 Congress. 53. Congressman Mike Thompson: Letter and official legislative document in folder. 54. Supervisor Anthony DeMattei: Sealed package from Highland Orchards/Nursery. 55. Terry Cook, former Placer County Supervisor: Sealed letter. 56. Honorable Judge Garen Horst: Two commemorative coins from courts; unsealed letter from Courts CEO Jake Chatters; Signed document by all 11 Placer County Superior Court judges. 57. Pokémon: Opened trading cards. 58. Pizza Factory: Menu. 59. Chevron: Gas station receipt. 60. Miscellaneous:Toys. 61. Apple iPhone: One iPhone. 62. J. & M. DeMaria:Stories for the Mother Lode book. 63. Book:Tahoe City's First 100 Years.