Hear Us! The Children’s Time Capsule Project

A Historic, City-Wide Project Preserving the Voices, Dreams, and Creativity of Philadelphia’s Children for 2076

Honoring Philadelphia’s Children During the 2026 Semiquincentennial

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is launching Hear Us! The Children’s Time Capsule—a historic, city-wide initiative that will preserve the voices, artwork, and dreams of Philadelphia’s children. Contributions gathered in 2026 will be sealed and stored until 2076, when today’s children can return with future generations to reopen the capsule and celebrate connection, community, and imagination.

Sponsorship Opportunities

About Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse (Smith) in Philadelphia, PA is a historic, free public play space dedicated to encouraging play for all children. Smith’s mission is to promote and support unstructured free play by offering a safe, accessible, engaging environment where kids can explore, imagine, and learn.


In addition to serving as one of the city’s most beloved play destinations, Smith is a play-advocacy leader—advancing efforts across Philadelphia to ensure play is recognized as essential for childhood development.

Why This Project Matters

Today’s children face growing challenges:

  • Increased stress and isolation
  • Fewer opportunities for creative expression
  • Disproportionate impacts on historically underserved neighborhoods
  • Daily exposure to the risks and trauma of gun violence


As civic institutions prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, very few initiatives intentionally elevate children’s voices. Hear Us! ensures that Philadelphia’s young people—especially those least represented in historical narratives—are seen, celebrated, and remembered.

Project Overview

The Hear Us! Time Capsule will gather letters, artwork, and stories from children across Philadelphia throughout 2026. Using specially marked Time Capsule Stations located at Smith, local libraries, recreation centers, and schools, children will be invited to capture their hopes, dreams, and experiences.


All submissions will be sealed during a public Sealing & Burial Ceremony in November 2026. The Time Capsule will be reopened fifty years later, in 2076, during America’s 300th Anniversary celebration.


Each child who participates will receive a keepsake that reads:
 “I contributed to Hear Us! The Children’s Time Capsule in 2026 — I’ll be back in 2076!”

Project Activities

  • Creative “Time Capsule Stations” at Smith, libraries, schools, and community hubs
  • Art and writing workshops in partnership with youth-serving organizations
  • Printed keepsake for every participating child
  • Public Sealing & Burial Ceremony in November 2026
  • Reopening Ceremony in 2076 during the nation’s 300th Anniversary

Expected Outcomes

  • 2,500+ children will participate in creative self-expression and place-based storytelling
  • Strengthened civic identity and intergenerational connection, measured through surveys and event participation
  • Expanded community partnerships, engaging at least 10 libraries, schools, and youth organizations

Sponsor The Children's Time Capsule

Sponsors of Hear Us! The Children’s Time Capsule will play an essential role in preserving the voices of today’s children for the next generation, while receiving meaningful visibility throughout Philadelphia during the celebratory year of major public events and community engagement for America’s Semiquincentennial.

Sponsorship Opportunities