It’s a phrase you’ve probably heard countless times in the last few months: “We’re living in unprecedented times.”
So what do local historians do when the world goes from reading about history to living it? They document it for future generations, of course.
The Historical Society of Moorestown is working in partnership with The Moorestown Library to start a COVID-19 file for the society’s archives. The goal is to document the impact the pandemic has had on all walks of Moorestown life.
Mickey DiCamillo, president of the society, said during a recent trustee meeting, society members broached the idea of documenting the pandemic. While the society has archives on the 1918 Spanish flu and major wars, itsr Moorestown-specific information is typically pretty limited.
So, members decided it was their responsibility to collect information on how the residents of Moorestown reacted and were impacted by COVID-19.
DiCamillo said the society is looking for a wide variety of materials, and anyone can submit something. While interested in hearing from doctors and nurses on the front lines, the society is also looking for input from people homeschooling their kids or retirees spending more time indoors than ever. The goal is to get perspectives from across the board.
“Really this is an event that I think we are experiencing as a town,” DiCamillo said. “I feel that every single person in the community is being affected by this in one way or another. It’s an event that has impacted as a whole; no one is immune.
“There will come a time when people want to know how we managed.”
Both organizations are asking residents to submit anything that gives them insights into residents’ impressions, experiences or feelings during this time. It could come in the form of an essay, photos, artwork, digital scans, video or audio recordings.
DiCamillo said the historical society is also looking for ephemera — any kind of material that provides a snapshot of the times. It could be something as simple as a restaurant flyer explaining curbside pickup procedures, a newspaper clip or a piece of art that someone created.
Once all the materials are collected, The Moorestown Library will use the materials to compile a memory book. while the historical society will take the primary source materials, create a file and store them in an archival setting for long-term preservation.
Joan Serpico, director of the library, said if the facility receives enough material and there is community interest, it may print copies of the book as a fundraiser. She said some people may be interested in having a record to show future generations what they went through during the pandemic.
Serpico said while the current time has been riddled with hardship, the library is also eager to document the ways in which people have shown how they take care of one another.
“It’s been really heartwarming,” she added. “It’s something we wanted to capture — not just the sadness — really how human beings stepped up and responded in such a variety of unexpected ways.”
Residents interested in participating can submit their contributions to either the library or the Historical Society of Moorestown. Contributions may be made via email to [email protected] with the phrase Covid-19 in the subject line, or they can be sent via the mail to: HSM, P.O. Box 477, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
