BYU Marks 150th Anniversary by Opening 50-Year-Old Time Capsule

Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, marked the anniversary of its founding 150 years ago today, October 16, by opening a 50-year-old time capsule that students and employees secured in an exterior wall of the Harold B. Lee Library during the university’s centennial celebration in 1975.

A crowd of students, alumni, faculty and the public gathered on Founder’s Day on Brigham Square near the library for the unveiling of the capsule’s contents. After a video was played that showed how the capsule was removed from the brick wall, BYU President C. Shane Reese and University Librarian Rick Anderson, wearing white gloves, examined each item.

First was a $5 bill, accompanied by a list of what the amount of money could buy in 1975, such as two movie theater tickets, 10 gallons of gas and 20 loaves of bread.

Also pulled from the capsule was the BYU centennial flag, which was designed under the direction of then-BYU president and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks, and a gavel that was presented to him when he was the school’s president.

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During the unveiling ceremony, Vance Campbell read a letter he wrote as a student in 1975 that was included in the capsule. “BYU shines greatly,” he read, and listed some of the progress of the day, such as a new J. Reuben Clark Law School and a construction project to double the size of the library.

A tape recorder with a cassette tape contained the voice of Harvey Fletcher, a physicist and father of stereophonic sound, who, among many other contributions as a “BYU legend,” designed and determined the placement of the Y on the mountain.

Gifford Nielsen, a former BYU quarterback and NFL player who is an Emeritus General Authority for the Church, pulled from the capsule the #14 football jersey he wore in the 70s. “The impact of the university, and the message that the university sends throughout the world is absolutely remarkable to me,” he said.

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All of the time capsule’s contents will later be displayed around campus for visitors to explore.

Other events in the yearlong 150^th anniversary celebration have included a special devotional on September 9, a service fair and kickoff event, and an invitation for students, employees, alumni and friends to share their light by performing 150 hours of service.

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Participants are encouraged to track their hours in the BYU 150 Passport app to earn prizes as they reach service hour benchmarks and participate in an interactive scavenger hunt of BYU-themed activities.

Anniversary organizers are also taking the “Cougar spirit” of service on the road through the Traveling BYU Experience. When BYU sports teams and performing groups participate in other cities, there will be a coinciding service project that serves the local community.

“It’s going to be a year of celebration unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” President Reese said. 

Read this related Newsroom story. Watch BYU and Arizona Football Fans Shine Christ’s Light

To read more about the history of BYU, including a timeline of 150 important events, as well as a calendar and up-to-date event and activity information, visit 150.byu.edu.