State Archives collects photos, stories of life in NC during historic COVID-19 pandemic
It may not feel like it, but we are living in a moment in history. The State Archives of North Carolina are working to preserve photos, oral histories and stories from a time unlike any other in our state's history.
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After being stuck inside our homes, social distancing for weeks on end, it may not feel like a historic era. But 50 years from now, people will look back on these months as an important and critical moment in history.
The State Archives of North Carolina is giving locals a chance to share their story during this historic time.
Just like previous historically significant pandemics, like the Spanish Flu in 1918 or the Polio outbreak in the 1950s, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 will be studied by historians for decades.
Submissions might include photos of a child’s unique COVID-19 birthday or of a social distancing wedding.
Grocery workers, environmental control, truck drivers or food warehouse workers might submit images of life in their job right now.
People staying home might submit images of their children doing online learning, of their chalk art on the streets or of wearing masks to go grocery shopping.
By documenting local stories, oral histories, photos and memories from a historic moment in the state's history, it will help future generations remember what this moment in time looked like -- the good and the scary, the hopeful and the painful.
They said larger scale projects may emerge from what they gather over the next several months.
What will be remembered about the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina?
What might a snapshot of the history of COVID-19 in North Carolina look like?
Images or stories of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic might include things like:
- Social distancing birthday parties and proms
- Easter bunnies riding on the back of pickup trucks to wave at kids
- Quarantine weddings
- Inspirational messages in chalk art on sidewalks
- Church groups meeting at drive-thru theaters
- Coronavirus haircuts
- Drive-thru testing sites
- Lines of hundreds of cars waiting for fresh bulk chicken
- Talking to family, friends or co-workers on Zoom meetings
- Long distance learning and home schooling
- Students missing graduation--and finding alternatives
- Inability to find toilet paper and basic supplies
- Nursing home outbreaks
- Protests
- Airport employees struggling
- Children struggling to find food when schools closed
- Loss of loved ones
- Soldiers sewing masks to help those in need
- Social distancing funerals
- Damaged small businesses and local economy
- Empty streets, malls and movie theaters
In 50 years, for better or for worse this time period will be historic. North Carolinians will look back on what life was like in our state during a global pandemic.
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