BYU’s Founder’s Day Time Capsule opened 50 years later
Oct 16, 2025, 5:58 PM | Updated: 8:50 pm
Brigham Young University President C. Shane Reese unveiled a flag that had been placed into a time capsule 50 years prior during the university's Founder's Day celebration. (Adam Sanders, Brigham Young University)
(Adam Sanders, Brigham Young University)
SALT LAKE CITY — Brigham Young University opened the Founder’s Day Time Capsule 50 years to the day after it had been buried during the university’s centennial celebration.
The capsule, which was buried in a corner of the Harold B. Lee Library on BYU campus in 1975, was sealed with instructions to open the capsule during the university’s 150th anniversary.
President C. Shane Reese and BYU Librarian Rick Anderson opened the capsule on Thursday in front of the new BYU sign installed between the Wilkinson Student Center and the new Arts Building still under construction.
BYU Senior Manager of External Communications Tyler Stahle said included within the capsule were multiple nostalgic and symbolic items, including:
- A centennial BYU flag designed for the original 1975 celebration when the capsule was buried.
- A crisp $5 bill.
- A jar of cinnamon bears.
- A stack of letters written by BYU faculty and staff addressed to future generations of Cougars.
- A recording from famed BYU scientist Harvey Fletcher.
Of the items placed within the capsule, two items had special meaning when they were unveiled to the public.
BYU football legend Gifford Nielsen joined President Reese and Anderson on the stage to reveal a BYU football jersey Nielsen had worn as a player for BYU.
Additionally, a gavel that had originally belonged to then-BYU President Dallin H. Oaks was revealed to the crowd. President Dallin H. Oaks had been named as the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just two days before.
Cosmo Cougar, restored to his 1975 design, also made an appearance.
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