In case you hadn’t noticed we are living through strange times.
It turns out one of the best ways to deal with the changes brought on by COVID-19 is to write about them and those words could be history-making, as well.
To ensure that the COVID-19 experience of Coquitlam residents is captured in the city’s historical record, Coquitlam Heritage has started The Journal Project, where people of all ages can record their thoughts and submit them for posterity.
These journals will be collected and eventually considered for the museum’s permanent collection.
“We’re living through history right now and historically journals are used to piece together history,” explained Candrina Bailey, executive director of Coquitlam Heritage.
She said the journals people compile now will be valuable in 20 to 100 years to document how people made it through this challenging time.
People are encouraged to keep these journals — which could be written in any language and include photos and images — and then drop them off at Coquitlam Heritage after arranging a time with the manager.
This weekend, however, a special event will be held to capture COVID-19 experiences of the local community.
Chronicling COVID: A Live Journal & Time Capsule Event will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 1-3 p.m. at Coquitlam Heritage, 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam.
Outdoors in the plaza, stations will be set up with physical distancing to enable people of all ages to fill out a postcard to their future self, make a journal entry for the CHS Journal Project and create a contribution for the Coquitlam Library COVID-19 Time Capsule.
The event will give people a chance to add their voice to a unique time in history.
There will also be tours of the Fraser Mills Train Station and the CP Rail Caboose in this event, which is a collaboration between the City of Coquitlam Archive, Coquitlam Public Library and Coquitlam Heritage.
Bailey said participants can write journal entries for an eventual book and watch artist Melissa Kendzierski from Drawing Change, whose piece will also become part of the permanent collection.
Residents can also look forward to winter, between January and March when these pieces along with art work about COVID-19 experiences by artists Rose Kapp and Kathleen Tennent will be put on display at Place des Arts.
It’s all part of an effort to create a community story out of individual experiences that will intrigue, educate and inspire future generations.
The Saturday event is free, but participants are encouraged to RSVP on the website or by calling 604-516-6151.
Port Moody has a similar project ongoing for its residents, find out more here.
