Hanford Bicentennial Time Capsule

Community members assembled on July 9th to witness the unveiling of the time capsule that city leaders buried in 1976 during the community's Bicentennial celebration. The leaders from that era had asked for the time capsule to be opened on July 4, 2026, to coincide with the country's 250th anniversary celebration.

The City of Hanford and the Carnegie Museum of Kings County have collaborated to exhibit these items in August, aligning with the celebration of the 135th anniversary of Hanford's incorporation.

The museum gallery will be open on the following days/times for the public to view the items.

Monday, August 10th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 11th 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 13th 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, August 14th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 15th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Admission is free.

Included in the artifacts are many items relating to MANY community members and their families. If you were at the ceremony in 1976 we would especially invite you to attend.

If you are connected with any of these organizations or citizens, you need to come as well to learn more about the history of our community: City of Hanford employees, Kings County Government Center, KLAN Radio, George Eddy, Dean Johnson, Hanford Sentinel, Security Pacific Bank, Robert Hill, Hanford Police Department, Hanford Fire Department, Les Collins, JoJoe & Lila Barros, Kings County Office of Education, Hanford Elementary School District, Agriculture interests, Hanford High School, Adobe Hacienda Restaurant, The Chinese Pagoda, Richard Wing, Imperial Dynasty, NAS Lemoore, Hero's of the American Revolution, Hanford Jolly Bunch, Fort Roosevelt, Sonny's Wine Press, Cabrillo Club, Crocker Bank, Hanford Recreation Department, YMCA, Garden Club, Bob Marcellus, Fred Marcellus, Car Sales, Robert's Jewelers, Miss Kings County Pageant, Hanford City Council, Church of Latter Day Saints, Soroptimist Club, Cabrillo Club, Kings Garden Club, La Casa Garden Club, Breakfast Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, City of Home Valley Chapter, & Security Pacific Bank.

We are especially looking for descendants of Mrs. Doris Byerly regarding one particular item.

Following the exhibition, items will be displayed here on our website along with audio messages from city leaders and newscasters who covered the time capsule burial event in 1976.

During the exhibition, we will be collecting short video/audio messages from resident's to be placed in a time capsule that will be buried in the new public safety building that will be constructed in downtown Hanford in a few years and opened in the year 2076 during the United State Tricentennial Celebration!

We are also requesting photos of Hanford 2026! To submit, please visit this form for upload instructions.

For more information on this exhibition, please contact CMKC President Rob Bentley at president@carnegiemuseumofkingscounty.org