George Washington Time Capsule Paper

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The next item I have put inside is the U.S. flag from this time, designed by Betsy Ross. This is to represent us declaring our independence from Britain on July 4, 1776, although the Revolutionary war did not end until September 3, 1783.

Next in the capsule is the coat of arms of the Washington family. This was first used to identify my family in twelfth century, when we took possession of Washington Old Hall in County Durham, England.

The next thing in the capsule are several paper snowflakes, which represent the cold winter my troops and I suffered in Valley Forge in December 1777. Thousands of soldiers died, mostly due to disease. In spring however, my army emerged from Valley Forge in good order, thanks to General von Steuben, who helped to train the army.

The next item is a tobacco crop. Back when I was a farmer on my plantation on Mount Vernon, I grew tobacco as a cash crop, until I switched to growing grains as a cash crop in 1776.

The next and final item in the time capsule is a cross. Throughout my entire life I was affiliated with the Anglican Church. I served as a vestryman and also as a church warden for both Fairfax parish in Alexandria and Truro Parish. I believe religion is an important support for public order, morality, and virtue.

The items in this capsule are all very meaningful to me, and hopefully to American history too. I trust that you will also see these items as meaningful, as well as significant to not only you, but to others as well.