A Message for 2125: Greater Vancouver Chamber Adds Its Story to Main Street Time Capsule

A MESSAGE FOR 2125: GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER ADDS ITS STORY TO MAIN STREET TIME CAPSULE

Letter and historic milestones sealed until 2125 as part of downtown revitalization project

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) has contributed a message to the future as part of the Main Street Promise Time Capsule, buried Friday, February 20, at the intersection of Main Street and West 13th Street in downtown Vancouver. Once sealed, the capsule will remain underground until the year 2125.

Inside the capsule, the Chamber placed a letter written by GVC President & CEO John McDonagh, reflecting on the organization’s legacy of serving the Southwest Washington business community since 1890. McDonagh, the longest-serving executive in the Chamber’s history and one of the longest-tenured chamber leaders in Washington State, shared a message of pride, perspective, and hope for future generations.

“As we write this message, we do so with a sense of reverence for the past and responsibility for the future,” said McDonagh. “Our community - rich in history, innovation, and resilience - has weathered change, embraced growth, and held fast to the values that continue to define us today: collaboration, entrepreneurship, and civic pride.”

Attached to the letter were three recent press releases highlighting milestones in the Chamber’s modern history: the launch of the Southwest Washington Nonprofit Collective, the return of the Inspire HER Conference for its second year in 2025, and Junior Market, which drew hundreds to downtown Vancouver to celebrate youth innovation and entrepreneurship. Together, these documents capture a snapshot of how the Chamber is fostering business growth, nonprofit collaboration, and the next generation of leaders in 2025.

The time capsule initiative was organized by the Main Street Promise Team and Vancouver Downtown Association, which invited community members and organizations to contribute items representing personal stories, local culture, and daily life in Vancouver today. Each item has been documented and cataloged to provide context for future residents when the capsule is opened a century from now.

All items were sealed inside a 12-gauge, type 304 stainless steel box measuring 20 inches wide, 16.2 inches tall, and 9 inches deep. The container is engineered to resist corrosion and withstand extreme temperatures ranging from 250 degrees to negative 40 degrees -designed to protect its contents for the next 100 years.

The capsule was buried by the Main Street Promise team, leaders of a multi-year project to rebuild and revitalize Vancouver’s historic Main Street corridor from 5th to 15th Street. The project includes reconstructing the street, sidewalks, lighting, and adjacent public spaces to create a safer, more accessible, and welcoming environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. Main Street Promise aims to enhance safety, strengthen community connections, and support long-term economic vitality in downtown Vancouver. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

For the Greater Vancouver Chamber, the contribution represents both reflection and aspiration - an acknowledgment of 135 years of service and a commitment to continue moving business forward for generations to come.

The full text of the Chamber’s letter included in the time capsule is available at: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/7thjndvm/production/5bfe3a11790903b280553c0390db485c9336e83e.pdf 

About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.

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