Collecting Covid-19

Everyday life in Edinburgh as we know it has changed. The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting all of us - how we live, work, rest and play. Museums & Galleries Edinburgh want to record this strange time in the city’s history. We are looking to collect objects for our museum collections which represent experiences of people in Edinburgh during the pandemic and lockdown. This is where you come in: we want you to donate everyday objects that have helped you get through the pandemic. 

What these objects might include

Perhaps you’re using certain equipment to keep you safe, or have written schedules to help with home/work/school balance. Have you been wearing pyjamas all day when you can’t leave the house? Maybe you’ve received a note from a neighbour looking to help you, or you’ve made a rainbow for your window. Are there certain objects in your home which have helped you cope through the uncertainty and stress of the time? These are just suggestions - tell us what objects have meant a lot to you, and represent your experience of the coronavirus.

Get in touch 

Email us with information about your potential donation: anna.macquarrie@edinburgh.gov.uk. Tell us what it is, what it means to you, and include a photo if you can. Please note that we won’t be able to physically collect any material until it is safe to do so and our venues reopen, so keep a hold of it just now and keep using it if you need to.

Further information 

Other council departments are also collecting certain types of material, separate to the work of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh:

If you have photographs or images, Edinburgh Libraries invite you to contribute them to Edinburgh Collected (www.edinburghcollected.org), their online community archive. They will add submissions to the Edinburgh 2020 - coronavirus pandemic scrapbook. If you're not sure how to get started with Edinburgh Collected or need further information, please contact informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk 

If you are keeping a diary or journal during this time, Edinburgh City Archives are collecting them. You can find more information here: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/archives/edinburgh-city-archives-1/2