Peterborough Celebrates the Opening of the Millennium Time Capsule

Peterborough, ON – Community members gathered at Millennium Park Fountain to commemorate the opening of the Millennium Time Capsule, sealed 25 years ago on August 6, 2000.  

The event marked both the 25th anniversary of the time capsule and the City of Peterborough’s 175th anniversary since its incorporation as the Town of Peterborough.  

“When we open a time capsule, we’re doing more than unveiling artifacts, we’re remembering who we were, and asking who we want to become. We reflect on all the ways Peterborough has changed, through resilience, innovation, and the growing diversity that strengthens our community,” said Mayor Leal.  

Contents of the original time capsule were unveiled and will become part of an exhibit at the Peterborough Public Library which opens August 22, 2025.  

The event also marked the official dedication of a new 175th Anniversary Time Capsule, created in partnership with the New Canadians Centre, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and City of Peterborough. The new capsule reflects the diversity, culture, and community spirit of Peterborough today and will remain sealed until 2050. 

 The celebration opened with a land acknowledgement and a performance by Naandewegaan - Healing with Drums. Other speakers included:  

· Ken Armstrong, Chair of the original Celebration 2000 Committee 

· Janine Simard-Rose, original project coordinator of the Millennium Time Capsule 

· Adam Hopkins, President of the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre 

· Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Interim Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre 

· Sam Banton, local poet and spoken word artist, who performed a poem titled "Trains on a Traintrack,” commissioned for the event to reflect on Peterborough’s past, present, and imagined future. Her piece is sealed within the new 175th Anniversary Time Capsule.