How your all-day pyjamas, rainbow artwork and notes offering help could be part of an Edinburgh during coronavirus museum collection

One of artist Antony Gormley's "6 TIMES" statues in the Water of Leith, Edinburgh, wears a protective face mask as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. | JPIMedia

Before the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, a pair of pyjamas worn all day were more likely to see the bin than a museum exhibition.

However, with the coronavirus pandemic being viewed as a unprecedented moment in history, those pyjamas or that rainbow stuck to the inside of your window could now become museum pieces as part of a new collection.

Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, which is a collection of 13 venues and more than 200 monuments in Edinburgh including the Museum of Childhood and the Museum of Edinburgh, has launched a contemporary collecting drive for a future museum.

A person passes a boarded up restaurant in Edinburgh which has been painted with an NHS supporting message as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. | JPIMedia

The people of Edinburgh are being asked to contribute their own items and stories which reflect on how life in the Capital was like and how the city was impacted by the lockdown and pandemic.

The open call for items is being done to record and preserve what the curators of the collection have labelled a “significant moment” in the history of Edinburgh, allowing it to be chronicled for future generations.

The call is for donations of objects such as a note offering help received from a neighbour, pyjamas worn all day indoors, or a rainbow artwork created in support of keyworkers.

However the hope is that a wide range of items will be donated, with the team stating that they wish to preserve the objects and stories which helped people cope and get through the challenge of the pandemic.

People in Edinburgh are being asked to contribute items or stories which sum up lockdown in the Capital | JPIMedia

Anna MacQuarrie, Curator of History, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh said; “Our social history collections reflect daily life in Edinburgh over some hundreds of years. It’s never been more important for us to continue to show changes in the city than during this pandemic.

“Object donations from Edinburgh residents will help us to preserve experiences of this challenging time for future generations to understand how everyday life in the city changed so much and so suddenly.”

Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey said: “This is an extraordinary period in our history that in due course we will want to look back on. By collecting objects, photographs and first-hand experiences of citizens now, we’re making sure we can capture this moment for future generations.

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Often we look back and wish we could ask previous generations about the historic events they lived through and witnessed – this is our chance to document Edinburgh and Covid-19. The stories and images we capture for this collection will create a valuable insight into 2020 for generations to come.”

People in Edinburgh are being asked to contribute items or stories which sum up lockdown in the Capital. The Balmoral Clock broke down during the lockdown | JPIMedia

To take part, email [email protected] with details and an image of the item or items for potential donation.

Physical donations will take place once social distancing guidelines are lifted.

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Joy Yates

Editorial Director