Buxton museum's plea for contributions to lockdown time capsule

The initiative will result in an historical record to show future generations what life was like in the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 and beyond.

Residents may wish to share their record of lockdown such as:

*Something they made, something they wore, something that kept them safe;

* Photographs taken of everyday life, with information about why they were taken;

*Short videos or vlogs which captured thoughts, moments, or ‘a day in the life’ (not longer than five minutes);

*Written thoughts, poems or music, recalling their life in lockdown.

Museum staff are asking people to think about issues like: Can we capture how going shopping is different from before? What was life like in lockdown with people working at home, home schooling, shielding and staying safe? Did you pick up old pastimes or take up new hobbies? Did you get to know and share time at social distance with your neighbours? Did people in your street do anything special for the NHS clap?

The curators will make a selection to add to the permanent collections and invite some residents to bring their material to the museum once it re-opens and they can collect material safely.

Residents are being urged not to break any current government guidelines as they collect items or take photographs, and to adhere to social distancing at all times.

Derbyshire County Council leader Coun Barry Lewis said: “We recognise how important it is to gather this history now, especially people’s own stories, as the town comes out of lockdown over the next few months.

“While the museum is not yet ready to welcome visitors back, staff are asking residents of Buxton to think about what they might want to include in this collection, a time capsule for 2020. What would you put into the museum to tell future generations about this time? What might your great-grandchildren want to see, many years in the future?”

For further details email: [email protected]