The Westinghouse Time Capsules are buried beneath a monument in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, near the Queens Museum. The landmark commemorates two capsules created decades apart to preserve records and everyday objects for the future.
- On the NYC Parks map: location J, grid D14
- Eight granite monuments mark the capsules’ underground location
- The capsules are intended to endure for 5,000 years
What the Westinghouse Time Capsules commemorate
The Westinghouse Time Capsules preserve material from their own eras, with the first capsule commissioned by Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Corporation for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Buried 50 feet underground on September 23, 1938, at the precise moment of the autumnal equinox, the 1939 capsule contains everyday objects, a RKO newsreel and more than 22,000 pages of material on microfilm. Westinghouse buried the second capsule in stainless steel called “Kromarc” on October 16, 1965.
A granite cylinder originally marked the first capsule’s location. After the second capsule was buried, a lower-profile marker referencing both took its place. The capsules were designed to endure for millennia, making the site a record of how people chose to represent their time.
Where to find the landmark
Look for the Time Capsules in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, close to the Queens Museum. NYC Parks identifies the landmark as location J, grid D14, on its park map.
The monument is about 2.9 miles from a two-star hotel in Jamaica. Use the park map to orient yourself once you are in the grounds, since this is a large park with several landmarks.
What you can see at the site
At the site, you can see eight granite monuments marking the underground location of the two capsules. The markers identify where the time capsules lie; the capsules themselves are buried below ground.
The setting links the landmark to the park’s fair history. NYC Parks describes Flushing Meadows Corona Park as the site of the 1939–1940 and 1964–1965 World’s Fairs. The park’s highlights also include the Unisphere, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Citi Field.
How should you plan a visit?
Use the NYC Parks map to locate J, grid D14, before setting out, then check the official site before you go for current park access details.
The historical-marker listing gives a more specific reference point: the intersection of Avenue of the States and Perimeter Road, on the left when traveling north on Avenue of the States. Treat that as a map reference rather than official park directions.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 6 AM–9 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The landmark is outdoors, within a park that has historic walks, trails, sports facilities, lakes, cultural institutions and civic institutions. For an outing centered on the capsules, begin with the monument and then choose other park sights based on the time you have.
What else can you combine with the landmark?
The Queens Museum is an easy subject to pair with the landmark in your plans: it is nearby, and its building served as the New York City Pavilion at both the 1939–1940 and 1964–1965 World’s Fairs.
The museum’s role gives the two sites a direct connection to the park’s fair history. A Queens Museum visit from Jamaica can help you plan that part of the outing.
If you have more time in the park, NYC Parks’ listed highlights include the Unisphere, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Citi Field. Its trails, lakes and historic walks offer other ways to extend a visit beyond the monument.
FAQs
Are the Westinghouse Time Capsules above ground?
No. The capsules are underground; the granite monuments mark their location.
What is inside the 1939 capsule?
It contains everyday objects, a RKO newsreel and more than 22,000 pages of material on microfilm.
How do I find the capsules on the park map?
NYC Parks marks them as location J, grid D14. The historical-marker listing also identifies an intersection reference on Avenue of the States and Perimeter Road.
How can I get around Jamaica by train?
The Jamaica subway and stations guide covers getting around the area by train.