Northampton museum needs you to collect lockdown memories for digital exhibition

A museum and art gallery is calling on local residents to collect photos, videos, objects and more to contribute to a lockdown exhibition.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery was due to open in June after a redevelopment, however that has now been postponed.

When it is safe to open once again, the museum plans to host an exhibition about the global pandemic and how it has changed Northamptonshire.

To do this, Northampton Borough Council needs stories, photos and video diaries about what key workers have been doing and how local people have been showing their appreciation, as well as a broader sense of what lockdown and the pandemic has been like locally.

The exhibition will also acknowledge those who have lost their lives to Covid-19, as well as how local businesses are coping.

Councillor Anna King, cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the way we interact, operate, socialise, work, live and grieve has completely changed.

"We are now living in a period of historic significance and we would like the public to share items with us that mark this time.

"The museum was due to re-open in June after a major re-development but the opening will now be delayed due to the pandemic.

"When the museum is able to re-open it will be a major attraction for the town, where visitors can discover Northampton’s internationally important shoe collection, explore the town’s rich history, and experience an ever-changing programme of art, activities, events and temporary exhibitions.”

The council is urging anyone who wants to take part to make sure they gather content safely and while following the Government guidelines on social distancing.

Digital items such as photos and videos, and details of physical items can be sent to [email protected].

Photos and videos should be sent with the creator’s name, address, email and phone number as well when and where the content was created.

Museum staff will ask physical items to be kept safe until a safe delivery or collection can be made.

To find out more and keep up to date with the museum, visit its Facebook page.

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