BOX ELDER, S.D. — The City of Box Elder is inviting residents to help preserve the community’s history by contributing items to a Centennial Time Capsule that will be sealed during the Salute to Ellsworth celebration and opened in 2064.

The project is part of the nation’s observance of America’s 250th anniversary and is designed to capture life in Box Elder for future generations. The capsule will be opened 100 years after the city’s first ordinance was established. City officials are encouraging residents to “Save the Moment. Share the Future” by submitting items that reflect the community’s people, culture and history.

The city is accepting submissions in three categories: Box Elder publications and local history, culture and arts, and family history and community life. Suggested items include city publications, local business menus, Douglas School yearbooks, sports team photographs, uniforms and memorabilia, local artwork, creative writing, cultural event programs, family photographs, letters to future generations, and military family stories and memorabilia from Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Residents may drop off submissions at Box Elder City Hall during regular business hours by requesting a Time Capsule Submission Form at the front desk. Items must be clean, dry and in good condition and include a brief description explaining their significance. Photographs should be labeled with names, dates, locations and other relevant details, while documents must be legible and suitable for long-term preservation.

Submitted items become part of the city’s Centennial Time Capsule collection and will not be returned. Final selections will be based on available space, preservation needs and historical relevance. The city is also accepting digital submissions on labeled USB drives in commonly used file formats, including PDF, JPG, PNG, MP4 and MP3, provided the files are final versions and do not require passwords or special software.