 |
| Public Service Ad Page 4, Farmington News, Friday, Oct 25th, 1918 |
From the NH Historical Society:
What did you do during the Pandemic of 2020? For many of us, confined to our homes and practicing strict social distancing, we might say that we weren't able to do much, but our experiences will still be of interest to future generations seeking a better understanding of these days, weeks, and months as the virus ran its course. Those who come after us will want to know what it was like in New Hampshire under stay-at-home orders, when so much of our lives was disrupted that even everyday tasks required a new level of awareness and preparation.
The
New Hampshire Historical Society seeks to document these historic
times, as it has preserved the heritage of generations of Granite
Staters. Even as we live it, the Society will be gathering materials
that reflect this episode in our history. This call to action asks the
public to help us compile a New Hampshire COVID-19 archive that records
these unique times.
What
types of material are we looking for, and how can you contribute? The
Society is interested in objects and accounts that capture what life was
like during the crisis, whether you are in self-quarantine or on the
front lines. We seek to document a range of experiences.
Here are some suggestions:
- Do
you keep a journal? Or have an interest in starting one? Whether your
entries are routine or philosophical, hand-written or typed, they might
be of consequence for what they tell of daily life, the spread of
information, or your thoughts, hopes, and concerns.
- Written
accounts of all kinds can document how the experience of visiting the
grocery store has changed or provide insight into your involvement as a
health-care worker, government official, business owner, or essential
worker.
- Photographs
show the impact of the coronavirus on the world around us, from the
signs people put in store windows or on their front lawns, to the hunt
for toilet paper, celebrations of milestones, or walks down Main Street.
We
are sure that there are many ways in which creative Granite Staters can
document their experiences. The archive we compile today will inform
the historians of tomorrow.
To submit material or ask questions, please contact Project Archivist Korrena Cowing, at kcowing@nhhistory.org.
Digital submissions will be accepted now. If you have physical items
you would like to donate, more details on donating them will follow when
the New Hampshire Historical Society’s building has reopened.
No comments