South Dakota is locking in its contributions to a 250-year nationwide preservation project ahead of the Semiquincentennial of the United States.

America250SD, a nonpartisan organization created by former Gov. Kristi Noem in July 2023 to plan activities in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S., announced in a July 9 press release it approved two contributions to “America’s Time Capsule,” a congressionally mandated time capsule that will be buried at Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia in July and remain sealed until 2276.

The national time capsule will include relics and memorabilia from all 50 states, as well as contributions from five territories, D.C. and all three branches of the U.S. federal government, accorrding to America250’s website.

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For the nation’s 500th anniversary, South Dakota is contributing a “specially designed edition” of “This Far Country,” an epic poem written by Vermillion-born author Joseph Bottum—not to be confused with his great-uncle Joseph H. Buttom, who served as the 27th lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 1961–1962—and a letter from Gov. Larry Rhoden.

The 17-member commission is also working to acquire letters from tribal governments in South Dakota, per the media release.

“Given the small dimensions allowed to each state, the commission believed This Far Country encapsulated South Dakota’s unique perspective and so we arranged for a specially designed edition made to fit the space,” said Dr. Ben Jones, Chair of America250SD. “When the poem and the letters are opened in 2276, Americans marking the Quincentennial, will have words from the Governor and This Far Country poem reflecting our experiences living out the principles of the Declaration of Independence.”

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Other commemorative gestures organized by the commission for the nation’s 250th include the design of a celebratory flag featuring a bison standing in front of the state’s Badlands National Park.

The Trump administration, in cooperation with the State of South Dakota, is also moving forward with a fireworks celebration July 3 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.