CORONAVIRUS

How has COVID-19 affected you? Area historians document pandemic

Donna Thompson
donna@timestelegram.com
The Ilion Free Public Library is asking the public for input on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local community.

Historical groups across the state, including the Herkimer County Historical Society, are documenting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on area communities and individuals.

The effort is at the request of New York State Historian Devin Lander. Locally, the Herkimer County Historical Society sent out an invitation in a newsletter and posted a series of questions on its Facebook page.

“These narratives will become part of the Herkimer County Historical Society’s collections and will be available for future researchers to learn how our community was impacted by this global pandemic,” the society states.

Participants are asked what a typical day is like during quarantine, how people stay connected during this time of social distancing and other questions. Submissions may be sent by email to herkimerhistory@yahoo.com or by mail to 400 N. Main St., Herkimer 13350.

The Ilion Free Public Library is asking village residents for submissions on their experiences as well.

“We are asking for contributions of photos and personal stories of people’s time in quarantine and how they handled it,” said Library Director Shauna Bishop. “We’d like to hear from all ages and perspectives.”

She said people can email their submissions to ilionhistory@midyork.org or call the library at 315-894-5028 to figure out the best way to submit their materials.

Members of the Little Falls Historical Society posted some responses to the society’s website, including those by Little Falls students.

“It was the middle of March when the LFHS closed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” one student wrote. “At first, I thought we would miss just a week or two, but here we are three months after and we are still out of school.”

Another wrote, “I like being able to ask the teacher when I have a question and getting the answer right then and there. When you have to wait, you aren’t focused on getting the work done anymore and find other things to do.”

Information on how to submit stories, photos and artwork is available under the Making History Today section at https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org.