WALLA WALLA­—Whitman College and Northwest Archives is creating a digital archive of the Walla Walla community’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. As our community begins to reopen, it is important to reflect on our experiences of the pandemic, including our experiences at work and school, our social and family interactions, and the changes to our routines.

The college welcomes submissions in all languages from all members of the Walla Walla and regional communities. In partnership with the Walla Walla Mutual Aid Network and the Socially Engaged Art Committee of the Walla Walla Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, they hope to highlight voices that are not always included in archival records of our community. By collecting and archiving stories, we hope to shed light on disparities that immigrant and other marginalized communities face, while also highlighting their resiliency and their ongoing vital contributions to our community. 

To participate, you can record your experience in whatever format is comfortable for you. Some options include: 

Written reflections: letters, emails, diary entries, blog posts, etc.

Images: the view from where you are, photos of changes to the community, as are personal photos from your changed routines

Audio files: voice memos, phone-interviews with a friend (note: make sure you have the consent of all parties before recording them)

Video clips: short recordings of your daily life or routines

Be creative! What would you like saved now so that the Walla Walla community in 5 or 50 years can understand the moment we are currently living through? 

Keep in mind that we want to collect material that gives evidence of your personal experience, or that of others in the Walla Walla Community, not national news stories, media reports, or other types of material that are best documented elsewhere.

Questions and themes we hope to explore include:

How has the pandemic impacted the Walla Walla Community?

How has our community transitioned to working and learning from home?

How have essential workers experienced the pandemic, including those working in healthcare, restaurants, grocery stores, agriculture, education, or other essential industries?

How social distancing has impacted, and has continued to impact, our social lives?

How are you staying in touch with friends and family?

How has the pandemic disproportionately impacted immigrant communities? 

What support networks have emerged to address these disparities?

The college can accept material in most common formats, for questions contact the archives directly to archives@whitman.edu.

For more information about the program, visit: https://library.whitman.edu/archives/walla-walla-coronavirus-stories/