DORSET Museum is asking Dorset residents for objects and stories related to their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.

The museum is currently undergoing a major redevelopment project, and when it reopens it will seek to tell the story of the people of Dorset.

The museum is keen to explore the impact of coronavirus on community life, agriculture, tourism and older and disabled residents.

Dorset Museum is looking to collect objects, photographs, artwork and accounts that reflect people’s experiences of living, working and learning in Dorset during this period.

The collated objects will become part of the museum’s local history, art and photography collections, and some may be displayed in the museum’s new ‘People’s Dorset’ gallery.

Elizabeth Selby, Director of Collections and Public Engagement, says: “At the Museum, we’re thinking about how we can best represent the experience of the Dorset people during lockdown and beyond, for generations to come. We’re looking to collect objects that help to tell the county’s story, but can only do this with your help.

“If you have homemade objects your family created during lockdown, photographs of streets coming together to clap for carers, or objects that tell the story of how your business struggled and adapted during this period, then we would love to hear from you.

“Over the coming months, please keep in mind any material you can donate to reflect your experiences for when the Museum is fully operational again.”

The aim of the collection is to tell individual stories and experiences. Objects given to the museum could include artwork which was created and hung in your window, a poem written during the lockdown period or photographs taken during daily walks.

This call-out is a part of a wider project to collect contemporary objects and stories relating to life in Dorset during recent times.

Dorset Museum is currently undergoing a £15.3 million redevelopment and will be reopening in 2021.

If you have an object or photographs that relates to your coronavirus experience and would like to donate it to Dorset Museum’s Covid-19 collection, please contact collections@dorsetcountymuseum.org.