The Sangamon County Historical Society hosted a panel presentation Tuesday night on how different local groups have been (and still are) documenting life during the pandemic.
Stephanie Martin (pictured, center) introduced Anne Moseley of UIS (left) and Amanda Bryden of the Illinois State Museum (right).
Amanda Riggenback of the ALPLM appeared via remotely.
Moseley presented on the UIS COVID-19 Project; Riggenback on the ALPLM’s “Tumultuous 2020” oral history project; and Bryden on the ISM’s “Illinois Stories-COVID” collection.
Mike Kienzler edits the digital encyclopedia of Sangamon County History. He reflected on the importance of capturing history in the moment. “This has been a seminal event over the past two years,” he said, “and apparently it will continue to be. Documenting what people have dealt with over the past couple of years is absolutely essential.”
Photos, writing, film, music, and all forms of social media feed into the documentary evidence being collected to gain a better understanding of local life during a global pandemic.