Collecting Memories for the Future:
​COVID-19 Rapid Response Collecting

The Sault Ste. Museum is looking for your help in documenting the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting the people and communities in the Algoma District. The Sault Ste. Marie Museum aims to collect the stories and artifacts of the city of Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District, with emphasis on items that were made by or used by our community. We are looking for your help to document and illustrate how COVID-19 has affected us close to home. While everyday has become a significant time in our personal history, we are asking for your help to document this time.

​The possibilities are endless. Take a photo, put together an album, write a journal or letter, make artwork, record music. Help us tell future people about the history of today. Your contributions will be kept at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum for future research and exhibition. We understand that this is a difficult time for many, so participation is voluntary and has no timeline. The Sault Ste. Marie Museum will continue to collect and preserve this history for current and future generations to remember and reflect on this difficult time.

Send your submissions to [email protected]

Check out this interview with ICI-Radio Canada to learn more about this project! 

Consultez cette interview avec ICI-Radio Canada pour en savoir plus sur ce projet ! ​

​Frequently Asked Questions

How can I submit my photos, questions, ideas, etc.?
Send us an email at [email protected]

Why are you collecting artifacts and materials related to COVID-19?
The team at the museum knows and feels how sensitive this project is, given the unprecedented circumstances of a global pandemic. Our team is part of the community and have shared the community’s worries and fears, so this project includes time for reflection and self-care.

We recognize this is a historic period, so we’d like your input on how we capture and reflect on this difficult time. 

Can I submit physical objects (e.g. hard copies of signs, recipes, home-school schedules, etc.) now?
As we have now exited the pandemic, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum is accepting sterile artifacts and archival donations. Donations of PPE will only be accepted from health authorities and organizations where we can ensure they are sterile. Please do not send us your own homemade PPE.

Have you done this kind of collecting before?
We have not undertaken rapid response collecting like before, but we are ensuring that we are able to undertake a project dedicated to an event as widely impactful as the COVID-19 pandemic.