In 100 years from now, what items will best tell the story of the global COVID-19 pandemic?
That's the question Museum London has teamed up with the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) to answer. The museum, which has already been working to save artifacts from the present day for future generations, hopes to collect roughly 25 items from the hospital and its employees that depict the reality of living under the threat of the virus.
"To ensure that Londoners in the future understand what transpired during the pandemic, and to see the critical role that healthcare workers played in combating COVID, we are very pleased to be working with LHSC to ensure that this story is recorded and collected now so that we may be able to tell it in the years to come," said Museum Executive Director Brian Meehan.
Already included in the museum's pandemic collection are painted stones that were placed in the community to show support for frontline workers, as well as pandemic hoarding boards from Richmond Street. Hoarding boards are decorated sheets of plywood that are often put up around construction sites to obscure the view of the site.
Staff at the hospital are asked to consider what would be reflective of the pandemic, then take a picture of the object, write a short story about it detailing why it is important or unique and then send it to the museum. The LHSC and the museum will select from all of the items and stories submitted to add to the future exhibit.
"While our pandemic response work is not done, it is important that we take the time to preserve our experiences and memories so that future generations will know of, and understand, the bravery, sacrifices, and dedication that has defined everyone at LHSC through this moment in history,” LHSC Interim President and CEO Dr. Jackie Schleifer said in a statement.
The museum previously worked with the hospital to preserve London's medical history, taking possession of the hospital's important medical artifact collection in 2004.
