Curating a Pandemic: The Henry Ford Wants Your Coronavirus Artifacts In Their Museum

From 3D objects to photographs, the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is asking for your help in curating items and memories that reflect this unprecedented time in history.

Museums around the country are starting to think about how they’ll present the global pandemic of COVID-19 to future generations. 

In Dearborn, the Henry Ford has launched a “rapid response collecting initiative” to ask metro Detroiters what they think is important to collect and save for later display in their museum.


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“The Henry Ford’s collections have always documented America’s creative genius and can-do spirit, and now, during this unprecedented crisis, we are seeing this in action every day,” says Henry Ford president & CEO Patricia Mooradian in a press release. “It’s invaluable that we capture and collect these stories now to inspire others to problem solve, learn from mistakes and help shape a brighter future.”

From a handwritten grocery list to a ventilator made at a nearby auto plant, the museum is asking for “3D objects, photographs and archival materials of the COVID-19.”

Have something you think should be included in the Henry Ford’s COVID-19 collection? You can find more information about how to submit items via their official website.

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Author

  • Ryan Patrick Hooper
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host of "In the Groove" on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.