Museum children’s project to record tomorrow’s history today
Drogheda Museum Millmount have embarked on a new project to create a time capsule documenting the extraordinary times we are living in through the eyes of local children.
The museum, in conjunction with The Old Drogheda Society are asking young people to get involved, record what they are doing and their experiences of being isolated in their homes during the Coronavirus Emergency.
‘We were chatting about it on Whatsapp and we knew parents were wondering how to keep children busy while they were off,’ explained Kevin Brogan from the Old Drogheda Society. ‘We thought what would it have been like in other emergenciess like World War 2 and The Spanish Flu? How would children have felt about that and thought about it.’
‘We thought this is an emergency equivalent to any of those it is the emergency of the 21st century so we thought it would be good for any children under 18 to put together their thoughts in story or art or poetry and we could have an exhibition when this is all over.’
They hope the project will not only help to keep children busy and engaged while the schools are off but will also stand as a birds eye record of what it was like to live through these extraordinary times.
They want to know what stands out for young people during this time - not meeting their friends, having to celebrate a birthday or special occasion just with their family, how they have been using social media to chat with their friends, how does it feel to be confined to their home, worrying about examinations which might not happen.
‘ Tomorrow’s history is being written today and this will stand as a document of the times in years to come to say yes this is what happened and this is how they felt at the time.’
Anyone under the age of 18 is invited to record their experiences in story, poetry and art form.
‘One person asked me was there a deadline on this and there’s not because we envisage that this project could continue on after we go back to school in September and October and get further information from the schools, what the memories children have about the time etc and we would hope to eventually have a exhibition in Governors House at Millmount. ‘We are hoping that teachers might encourage students to get involved as part of their remote learning, it could be one of their projects for history or art,’ he said. Kevin said they are particularly interested to hear from secondary school students and how the situation is affecting those who should have been sitting their Junior or Leaving Cert exams this year.
Entries can be sent to millmount. tht@gmail.com Written or hardcopy entries can be scanned or photographed and submitted electronically by email attachment.