Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre are asking for your help to create a record of life during the pandemic to create a new collection that will show how our lives have been transformed by this global crisis.
They want you to think about what future generations might want or need to know about 2020, Covid-19 and living in lockdown, and create your own record of your experiences. This might be written – a diary or poetry – but could also be drawn, photographed, painted or crafted.
This is an opportunity to make a creative response to these challenging times. You can send any response directly to the team at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre by emailing – archives@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Why not also book in for a visit? Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is open and ready to welcome you! They’ve put in a lot of measures to ensure the safety of everyone using the Centre, from social distancing to quarantining their archives.
Community History Advisor, Tom Plant, said,
“Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre hold eight miles of inspiring archives, books, photographs, maps and more dating back 800 years, including records relating to kings and queens, famous people and we may even have some of your family’s history! Here you can see archives like Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’s marriage deed, letters from Florence Nightingale as well as items of everyday life in Chippenham and across Wiltshire.
You can uncover your family history, discover the history of your house or reveal your local area’s hidden past. You can also meet our Archaeology and Wiltshire Buildings Record teams, to help answer your questions about our rich local heritage, and our Conservators who help preserve our history and can undertake work on treasured family heirlooms as well as a broad range of commercial archive and object conservation.”
If you’re new to all of this, our helpful and friendly staff can help set you on the right track. Discover a new interest and open up a fascinating world just waiting to be uncovered! Share your findings with family and friends – you will be amazed at just what you can uncover about the people and places that matter to you.”
Entry is free and they have a free carpark right outside. They are also just a 5-minute walk from Chippenham railway station and local bus services. Their Community History Advisor, Ian, has put together a short video explaining the changes and you can read more detailed information about your visit on their website.
If you are unable to visit Wiltshire and History Centre in person, they also offer a remote enquiry service. They can answer quick queries about family or local histories, or any heritage-based question you may have. They can carry out more detailed research and copying requests too. Call the team on 02149 705500 or email heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk and they’ll do their best to help you.
For more information or to get in touch please visit their website or social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. Their Wiltshire Community History and Know Your Place Wiltshire websites are also a great place to start.
