There is a lot going on in our house these days…literally. We pulled the trigger on an extensive remodel which will encompass the kitchen, the adjacent office, the adjacent laundry room, and the basement. Additionally, the project will involve a new electrical panel and updating of the remaining knob-and-tube wiring (probably 50% of the house) as well as updating the remaining galvanized plumbing (probably 50% of the house). There was the briefest of moments when I thought maybe just maybe we could stay in the house during the four month ordeal, but Missus Scooter saw to it that I had lost my mind. Alas, we moved out to a rental about 10 days ago.
We have done lots of home improvement projects in our 1912 farm house since we moved in about 3 and a half years ago (Ohana was just 6 weeks old). Mostly we used a handyman that I have used for years who does an excellent job at a very good price. But being that this was by far the largest remodel we’ve ever tackled and the fact that it involves the place we spend A LOT of our time, we decided to do this the right right way. We hired a designer/architecture firm and started having initial discussions with them about 7 months ago. When our plans were solidified, we interviewed three general contractors. Bids were submitted, jaws hit floors, big girl panties were put on and contracts were drawn. This thing was legit.
As we prepared for the remodel to begin, it got me really curious about the history of our home. We live in a fairly historical area in Sacramento, and our realtor told us that she heard that our house was one of the first in our neighborhood. In fact, it was moved from a nearby farming community in ~1912. She said she could have sworn she saw a picture of our old house in the middle of acres and acres of farms from the early 1900’s. We thought this was very cool when we heard it back when we bought the house and we always wondered if we could validate these stories and learn even more. We had always talked about finding that old picture and hanging it. But…we were raising a child then had another, and doing historical research didn’t quite ever make the cut of things to get done. 
As February 1 was fast approaching, I did make the research a priority but really came up with zilch. I found a local author who wrote a book on the history of our neighborhood. I found her mobile number and texted her (I know, a little stalkerish), but she didn’t have the history on our place. I heard that there is an archive room at the Sacramento Library and for now this is our most promising lead.
Coincidentally, this morning I had a meeting with our contractor at the house and after we discussed our business, he told me they had found two personal items during the demo process. One was a picture of a woman – no date, no name. But if I were to guess, I would say it was from the 80’s. The other item was a letter written on a 3×5 card from a grandmother to her granddaughter. It was dated July 7 but no year!!! It was cool and frustrating all at once! Here there was a little more history, yet, not really at all. It made me want to know more – who were these people? How did these items get here? Was there any significance?
I got to thinking on my drive into work that it would be so cool to put a time capsule into our walls before new dry wall goes up. I think I have several weeks to get this organized. I would like to include a picture or two and maybe a letter about who we are, what year it is, when we moved in, what we know about the house, what things we have done to the house so far. I was thinking maybe a few current events would be interesting too (front page of the newspaper…?). Ideally, I would love to have done the research on our house and include all of that too, but I don’t know if I can make that happen.
I really see this as our forever home. I can’t imagine us leaving for a very very very long time. But….some day we will no longer be there. That’s just a fact. I love the idea of a little something being left behind. And I think if I was the new homeowner, this would be an awesome find!
Have you ever made a time capsule like this? Or have you ever found a time capsule like this during a remodel or house project? What other things should I include in our time capsule?
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Yes! We gutted much of our home and found a metal file tote with lots of random things in it. Hidden behind the walls, in a closet next to the fireplace, were also original hand drawn elevations of our home. As an Architect, this was an amazing find. They are framed and hanging in our living room!
I think a time capsule for the home is a wonderful idea. Maybe a family picture, dated and a handwritten letter?
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
That is so cool!
We totally gutted our home too, but didn’t find anything like that!
@regberadaisy: wow, that’s cool!
grapefruit / 4717 posts
So, so cool.
kiwi / 595 posts
We did a remodel of the nursery and spare bedrooms before our lo came. There was an odd Jack and Jill desk situation between the rooms and we tore it out and put a standard wall between the rooms. Before the drywall and plaster went up we wrote notes to baby (who was still in utero), included and u/s picture and a few other momentos. I love your idea!
blogger / apricot / 431 posts
I’m not sure what your religious background is, but I once saw online a family putting up bible verses in each room…more things that they wanted to build their house on for their family…kinda like wishes and hopes for the family. Maybe you could write like your hopes and dreams for your children, family, etc. It’s a different way of thinking about it…writing out the “foundation” of the household. So fun to hear what you do whatever you decide!!
pear / 1718 posts
This is so cool! We found random tokens (old tools, newspapers, etc.) When renovating a home from the late 1800s/very early 1900s. We also found a trunk with several journals, a plaque, and even a high school diploma. I’m still trying to track the person or relatives down.
In 5th grade, they mounted a whiteboard over the chalkboard in our classroom. We wrote messages all over the chalkboard first. In one of my classes, we also put a time capsule in the drop ceiling.
We’re creating a time capsule at DD’s first birthday for her to open on her 18th birthday. I love this stuff!!!
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
Such an awesome idea!! Love this! @regberadaisy: So cool to have originals!!
nectarine / 2210 posts
The idea of your house being moved from the country is so cool! It reminds of of the children’s book The Little House, which has always been one of my favorites.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Miss Ariel: p.s Little House was one of my favorites growing up as well. They now have an abbreviated version for young readers called the Little House series. My daughter is 3.5 and it’s perfect for her. So far we have 4 books out of the series. Check it out!
nectarine / 2210 posts
@regberadaisy: I was actually talking about the picture book by virginia lee burton. But I do love the little house on the prairie books as well! I have heard of the board books they made and I’ve been meaning to add them to our collection!
guest
We remodeled our 1940’s house and found two polaroids in the wall of our upstairs room. They were not family friendly photos!! But they were good for a laugh. We did not create a time capsule for us but it’s a fun idea. We’ve remodeled every inch of our house so I feel like I’ve already put so much of myself into it!