Cambridge 2020: Local History of a Pandemic

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Consultation has concluded

The City of Cambridge is looking for assistance from the entire community to capture a unique snapshot in time. Cambridge 2020: Local History of a Pandemic is an archive project to help collect personal experiences living, working and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic from everyone in the community including residents, business owners, first responders, cultural groups and organizations.

Participating will take just a few minutes of time but will have an impact for generations to come. Throughout history, people have gone through experiences that have greatly impacted everyday life and shaped the future. This is one of those moments and the City is asking for the community to come together to capture this moment in time.

Types of items to submit for this project

Please send us anything that captures this period in time, such as:

  • a photo of home life, working or online school
  • a video of an online gathering or milestone celebrations
  • a screenshot of a twitter post
  • photos of closed signs or other signs in the community that show things have changed
  • images depicting social distancing measures
  • how local businesses have adapted to COVID19, or an email from a thankful customer
  • journal or blog entries, or personal reflections
  • photos of people wearing masks
  • struggles of those sick with the virus
  • window art
  • a curbside gift from a relative
  • stories and photos of hope and positivity

Share your story with the community below. Prefer to share with us directly? Submit through our online form.

The City of Cambridge is looking for assistance from the entire community to capture a unique snapshot in time. Cambridge 2020: Local History of a Pandemic is an archive project to help collect personal experiences living, working and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic from everyone in the community including residents, business owners, first responders, cultural groups and organizations.

Participating will take just a few minutes of time but will have an impact for generations to come. Throughout history, people have gone through experiences that have greatly impacted everyday life and shaped the future. This is one of those moments and the City is asking for the community to come together to capture this moment in time.

Types of items to submit for this project

Please send us anything that captures this period in time, such as:

  • a photo of home life, working or online school
  • a video of an online gathering or milestone celebrations
  • a screenshot of a twitter post
  • photos of closed signs or other signs in the community that show things have changed
  • images depicting social distancing measures
  • how local businesses have adapted to COVID19, or an email from a thankful customer
  • journal or blog entries, or personal reflections
  • photos of people wearing masks
  • struggles of those sick with the virus
  • window art
  • a curbside gift from a relative
  • stories and photos of hope and positivity

Share your story with the community below. Prefer to share with us directly? Submit through our online form.

Share your pandemic experience

Share your story with the community. Submissions can include written accounts, photos, drawings, and even audio and video recordings - whatever has been a significant experience for you.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

The City of Cambridge Archives gratefully acknowledges receipt of the donation of the following objects/documents. The said objects/documents shall be the exclusive and absolute property of the City of Cambridge Archives and may be lent, used or disposed of in such manner as the City of Cambridge Archives may determine including displaying said objects/documents on social media, the City’s website or in advertising for the City of Cambridge activities. 

The City of Cambridge Archives does not undertake to guarantee the exhibition of any of the said objects/documents. The donor hereby agrees that where the donor holds copyright rights to the objects/documents or where the donor is executor for the estate of the copyright holder, the copyright to the objects/documents is hereby transferred to the City of Cambridge Archives. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email corpcomm@cambridge.ca. 

Consultation has concluded
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    return to baking and researching heritage during covid

    by Engage KWC, about 2 years ago


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    In this Together

    by weatherboi, about 2 years ago

    During this current pandemic, one that has not effected the world since about 100 years ago, it is up to each one of us to heed the council of health and Government officials. Many of us are doing our best to stay home, and wear masks when out when necessary , but I still see next door neighbours ignoring these regulations to help stop the spead of COVID-19 by having frequent non-family gatherings (without masks) and sleepovers. I find it discouraging and unfair to the rest of the population. If we are going to defeat this worldwide killer, we need... Continue reading

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    Change - Everything and Nothing

    by SSandA2, over 2 years ago

    Because of age, I am a person at risk. That means following the three main rules: mask, distance and handwashing. Other than that very little has changed, with one exception, gathering at coffee shops - the staple of retiree socializing; the 10:00 AM sea of gray.


    We adapt though, usually spending more time outdoors, in smaller groups. That's why this Thanksgiving I did what I often do at this time of year: Christmas Card photos for my Daughter and hikes along local trails. A lifestyle doesn't necessarily end. It can just change a little.

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    First Day of Senior Kindergarten!

    by SaraC, over 2 years ago

    This is my 4 year old daughter Gwen. Her junior kindergarten year was cut short which made her super excited to be able to go back and start senior kindergarten! We are so grateful for her wonderful teachers at Woodland Park Public School for creating such a positive environment even through all the hardships. Gwen loves school and says when she grows up she wants to be "everything!"

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    Family and friends are needing support. Take time to enjoy things and do things for others. Baking new hobby!

    by Engage KWC, over 2 years ago


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    A Community Supporting the Front Line - Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation

    by Lisa Short, over 2 years ago

    As a Hospital Foundation, we work with our community to raise funds for Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Specifically, we are in the business of investing in our hospital in an effort to put the best tools possible into the hands of our frontline workers so that they can be here for our families, friends, and neighbours when we need them. It is our passion and our purpose.

    In March of 2020, the pandemic shined a spotlight on our healthcare heroes and the worldwide shortage of protective equipment to keep them safe. On top of overwhelming financial support, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation... Continue reading

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    "Hespeler Canada Signs" - A Community Engagement Project

    by Hespeler Village Neighbourhood Association , over 2 years ago

    Hespeler Village Neighbourhood Association (HVNA) is a grassroots non-profit organization that offers accessible social, educational and recreational programs to children, youth and families in the Hespeler community in Cambridge, Ontario. HVNA originally created our famous "Hespeler Canada Signs" (as shown above) to celebrate Canada 150 in 2017, but the signs have since become a popular statement in Hespeler, with many featured on the lawns of Hespelerites all over our Hespeler community. Since 2020, and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, HVNA has distributed over 1,000 Hespeler Canada Signs to our Hespeler community, which has sparked joy, Hespeler pride, a... Continue reading

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    As Home Depot Appliance Speciality Associate

    by Keshav , almost 3 years ago

    As the retail closed there doors it was the Buy On Line and Curb side Delivery the only choice left for us to help our customers and to keep our jobs intact during this pandemic.It was a diffe experience all together and we all were in the spirit of just DO IT I took the challenge of being outside the store it was still very cold in April sometimes some light snow and approach every parked vehicle for curb side Delivery with there 4 Ways On , I would take the there online order numbers as getting through our phone... Continue reading

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    A Message of Hope and Thanks

    by BWade, almost 3 years ago

    Bobbi-Jo Wade, Cambridge ON (2020)

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    Making facemasks for the community

    by KWTCA, almost 3 years ago

    .

    Making facemasks for the community.

    My mom (as shown above) has been spending her free time making facemasks for the community and hospitals, along with the Kitchener-Waterloo Taiwanese Canadian Association. She sits by the kitchen table, spending countless hours learning how to make the masks. Her job has been shifted to working from home, and this allows her to find a way to be involved while practicing social distancing and following epidemic prevention and control measures shared by our local health authorities. As the temperatures begin to warm up, the gardening season has started and she is beginning to... Continue reading