Pokemon, Furbys, and Y2K Newspapers: Edison School's 25-Year Time Capsule Revealed

EDISON, NJ – Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, along with alumni of James Madison Intermediate School in Edison, celebrated the opening of a 25-year-old time capsule on Monday.

Members of the Class of 2000 unveiled the contents of the time capsule that was sealed exactly 25 years ago.

The time capsule was originally buried by students and staff, Joshi being among them, at JMI on June 2, 2000.

The time capsule was meant to capture a snapshot of life in Edison during that time period and preserve it for future generations.

The contents of the time capsule have remained a mystery for the past 25 years, making the event an exciting and nostalgic one for current and former students and staff.

Here’s what was in the time capsule:

• Home News Tribune Daily Newspaper – December 31, 1999
• Home News Tribune Daily Newspaper – January 1, 2000
• Home News Tribune Feature – A Day in the Life of Edison – March 16, 2000
• Home News Tribune Sports Page – NY Yankees World Series Parade – October 30, 1999
• Home News Tribune – Last Peanuts Comic – February 13, 2000
• Shop Rite Circular
• Core Curriculum Guidelines Program of Original Dedication Ceremony of JMI – 1962
• Copy of TV Guide
• JMI Memory Book 1999-2000
• Photo of Faculty – 1999-2000
• Teacher Survey of Popular Items
• Student Survey of Popular Items
• Collage of Popular Toys
• Collage of Popular People Posters with Pokemon, Rugrats and Beanie Babies
• TY Millennium Beanie Baby
• Sample Furby and Pokemon Toy
• United States Commemorative Coins
• Current Prices of Commodities
• Edison School Budget and Sample Board of Education Ballot
• Sample cell phone
• Sample Telephone
• Winners of the Essay Contest What the American Flag Means to Me

“It is an honor to be part of this special occasion 25 years to the date,” Joshi said. “This time capsule represents a piece of our past and it's exciting to see our community reconnect as we reveal what has we buried in 2000.”

This event reconnected the Edison community with the past, and also brought friends and families together to celebrate shared memories, values, and stories that last a lifetime.

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