Courage, comfort, inspiration are the values in preserving our pandemic experiences
05/01/2020
In his president’s note for the spring issue of Preservation Magazine, Paul Edmondson, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation writes, “Now more than ever, we can look to our history for courage, comfort, and inspiration. As a nation, we have overcome existential challenges in the past, and we will overcome this one as well. In so many ways, our historic sites and cultural landscapes embody our resiliency and our fortitude, and they serve as places of comfort and inspiration in both ordinary and extraordinary times.”
The same can be said of our families and our homes. This time challenges our fortitude and our creativity in handling profound changes required to adjust to life done differently. Our homes are our harbors, our schools, our playgrounds and cultural landscapes. As our families grow up, our homes will also become our historic sites where life was lived amidst difficulties buoyed by love.
The many ways in which we navigate these times deserve to be memorialized in some way so as not to lose the wisdom of the moments that enabled us to move forward and grow as individuals, as families and communities.
Consider creating a box of mementos including photos and children’s drawings and thoughts from family members. Start a daily journal or keep an on-line scrapbook.
Preserve the memories. There is someone in the future who will find courage, comfort and inspiration in how you came through a difficult time.
In the meantime, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has assembled a collection of resources to help communities and those struggling as parents to keep the family engaged with learning, those concerned about supporting local businesses or those who are missing a visit to a favorite historic site.
To see their many resources visit https://savingplaces.org/coronavirus#.XqwcR2hKiM9
The site includes links for virtual visits to historic places, links to information on how to help businesses on your community’s Main Street (shop local, shop safely) and links for families and caregivers (excerpt below) and much more:
- New!We've gathered fifteen of our favorite history-themed coloring books and sheets, all free, online and appropriate for enthusiasts of all ages.
- Check out this list of 13 Virtual Ways to "Edutain" Kids About History and Preservation, including lesson plans from historic sites, game-based learning about history, and reading lists for different learning levels.
- Main Street America is celebrating kids and teens as part of its We Are Main StreetThey invite you to share the stories and initiatives of the young people making a difference in your downtown, using #WeAreMainStreet. Check out the program pageto learn more about two great opportunities for the youth in your life to show their Main Street love.
The National Park Service provides kid-friendly resources and activities online for a range of themes including women's history.
Take a few minutes to visit the site and explore the inspirational opportunities they've included.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.