Two unassuming cardboard boxes within the MSU Museum's archives will contain sealed pieces of Williams Hall history for the next 52 years.
On April 27, the night before finals last year, more than 32 residents of West Circle Complex donated items for a time capsule, which was presented to the museum this week. The capsule will be sealed today.
Carefully catalogued and sealed in plastic bags, more than 50 items that represent moments experienced by Williams Hall residents in 2003 were donated to the project, including anti-war pins, personal notes, an MSU 2003-04 football schedule and a Bobby's World T-shirt from the football cheering section.
James Rattenbury, assistant director for Williams Hall, said his interest in the history of the oldest residential complex on campus inspired him to create a capsule that preserved mementos for future generations.
"I talked with (the Williams Hall) staff about how interesting it would be to open a time capsule from 50 years ago," he said. "Whether we are here or not when it is opened, it will still be valuable and hopefully people will find these things interesting."
Rattenbury worked with the Williams Hall Residence Life staff to create a time capsule, which would be the best representation of life within the 66-year-old hall.
"Some things are more campus, like an Izzone T-shirt, but I was determined to make it more Williams and West Circle, with more things personal to people," Rattenbury said.
He waited until this semester to seal the capsule because he wanted to add a personal note and a detailed list of all of the contents, addressed to people viewing the box in the future.
Donors received invitations for the ceremony to open the capsule in 2055 - MSU's bicentennial anniversary.
"Some people parted with some nice things," Rattenbury said, sifting through a box containing a Sony Walkman and a cellular phone.
The only food allowed within the capsule was a triple-bagged package of ramen noodles, MSU Museum history curator Val Berryman said.
"It will probably be just as tasty," Berryman said.
Gopal Batra, a supply chain management junior from India, donated several items for the capsule, including an authentic Indian cloth.
Batra said he still has his invitation for the opening of the time capsule.
"I hope my kids will have gone to Michigan State," Batra said, trying to predict where he might be in 52 years. "And if I am still around in the world, I will definitely attend."
University spokesman Terry Denbow said the creation of the capsule is timely. Michigan State College was founded in 1855 and will celebrate the 150-year anniversary in 2005.
"It is a good time to think about university history and the things that are symbolic of MSU," Denbow said.
Education senior Elizabeth Stroik said she only included items in the capsule that had personal value.
"It is good to show students in the future what things were happening at the time around campus," Stroik said, adding she was not hesitant about including personal items.
One of the items Stroik donated was a copy of Q*News, a campus-based magazine for lesbian-bi-gay-transgender and straight ally students.
"The whole point of the capsule was to be personal. We are putting a piece of ourselves in there for others to see in the future."
