Covid-19 Historical Documentation

The New Westminster Museum and Archives is documenting Covid-19 pandemic in New Westminster and reaching out to community members to collect both physical objects and digital documentation, and thus document history as it happens. 

Objects

The curator, Oana Capota, invites residents to make suggestions for what they would like to see preserved by emailing .  Though donations are not possible at this time due to safety, the curator will work with potential donors to write profiles of the objects and what they mean.  Objects can then be brought into the museum at a future date.

The museum also encourages citizens to keep diaries of this time and/or to contribute to a community diary, using the hashtag #nwcovidlife.  During this time of social isolation, keeping a journal also has benefits for mental health.

Oral History Interviews

In addition, the museum is looking to make audio and video recordings of people’s experiences during Covid-19.  People from a broad base of different backgrounds are invited to come together and share their experiences through a recorded video conference interview.  The interviews could either be one-on-one with a museum staff member or as part of a community program. 

Virtual Story Gathering – People from a broad base of different backgrounds will be invited to come together and share their experiences of the pandemic through a recorded video conference interview.  Participants will listen to stories, then tell their own story, in this process of collective reflection and building community in isolation. (Monday June 22, 2020 from 6 – 7pm, register by emailing ).

If you, or anyone you know have an experience to share about our city’s COVID experience, please contact the museum at 604-527-4640 or .  Please also fill in the following form: Virtual_Story_Sharing_Application_Form.pdf.