This year, the entire state is commemorating the 500-year anniversary of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon’s arrival to Florida. To mark the occasion, every county was sent a time capsule to collect items unique to each community in the Sunshine State.

The Leon County Board of County Commissioners created the Leon County Viva Florida Time Capsule Committee with the responsibility of leading the effort of recommending and collecting the items for the time capsule. The Committee will recommend to the County Commission that the time capsule be sealed on October 25, 2013 and opened 110 years later on October 25, 2123. On October 25, 1823, Dr. William H. Simmons of St. Augustine and John Lee Williams of Pensacola met at St. Marks selecting Tallahassee as the capital of Florida. The date in which the capsule would be open will mark the 300th anniversary of Dr. Simmons and Mr. Williams meeting.

For the next few months, citizens will have the opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas on the contents that should be included in the time capsule that reflects life in Leon County in the 2013. Also, members of the community can simply click on the electronic suggestion box or email TimeCapsule@LeonCountyFL.gov to give their suggestions on what should be included in the time capsule.