May 11, 2020 —The Museum may be closed, but it is calling on all residents, businesses, and organizations in Clarington to help record history.
Clarington's community is living through an historic event. In order to document the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clarington Museums and Archives is running a survey to collect information and stories about people’s experiences to help educate future historians.
In the past, historians collected this type information by reading letters and studying personal diaries and journals that were kept during the event. The Mass Observation project in the UK during World War II is an example of the way in which records were created that benefited the understanding of future generations. These written records have proved invaluable to historians in understanding day-to-day life for troops on the front lines as well as those at home. Today, we live in a networked world dominated by technology; phone, text, and teleconference are ways we keep in touch with friends and family. As a result, there will be very few records left behind for the next generation of researchers.
“We are living in unprecedented times,” says Linda Kent, CEO of Clarington Public Library, Museums, & Archives. “The personal experiences of residents and business owners will help to record the impact that COVID-19 had on the lives of Clarington residents for future generations.”
You can participate in the survey by visiting the Museum’s website at www.claringtonmuseums.com.
As a result of the pandemic, the Clarington Museums & Archives will remain closed until further notice. As well, the Museum made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Canada Day Celebrations held at Waverly Place in order to align with the cancellation of Municipal events through to July 3.
We appreciate you contributing your thoughts, experiences, messages of gratitude or sadness, and general reflections by participating in the survey.
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Contact:
Linda Kent
CEO
Clarington Public Library, Museums, & Archives
lkent@clarington-library.on.ca
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