Echoes of the Epicenter: The New York City COVID-19 Narrative and Memory Oral History Collection Now Accessible – News from Columbia's Rare Book & Manuscript Library

A bustling, sunlit street in SoHo, New York City, is crowded with pedestrians, many of whom are wearing face masks. The narrow street is flanked by tall buildings with various signs and storefronts. Banners, including one that reads "ALL IN ON SOHO," hang from lampposts. The depth of field is shallow, with the foreground figures in sharper focus than the background, emphasizing the density of the crowd. The overall atmosphere is one of a busy urban environment during the daytime. — Photo by Yoav Aziz on UnsplashThe profound and multifaceted experiences of New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic were meticulously documented and are now becoming more widely accessible, offering an invaluable resource for understanding a period of unprecedented challenge and resilience.

OHAC announces the availability of the New York City COVID-19 Narrative and Memory oral history collection, a significant archive covering the period of 2020-2022. The materials are available by appointment in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library reading room, with select interviews and materials available online in the Digital Library Collection.

This vital collection, a dedicated effort to capture the voices and stories of those who lived through the early and evolving stages of the crisis in the pandemic’s initial global epicenter, testifies to the power of shared human experience. Unique to this collection are participant written “chronicles” documenting their first-hand experiences of the pandemic outside of an interview context. These types of notes are not usually included in oral history collections at OHAC, marking a first in this experimental form of memory-making and preserving.

This extensive collection, a project rooted in the urgent need to preserve the immediate and ongoing impact of the pandemic, delves into the personal narratives, the daily struggles, the moments of solidarity, and the profound shifts in perspective that characterized life in New York City during these tumultuous years. It provides a deeply human-centered lens through which future generations, researchers, and the public alike can engage with the lived realities of the pandemic, moving beyond statistics and headlines to connect with the individual and collective journeys of New Yorkers. The archive seeks to illuminate the diverse experiences across the city’s boroughs, capturing a wide spectrum of voices, from essential workers on the front lines to individuals navigating lockdown, loss, and adaptation in their homes and communities.

In conjunction with the unveiling of this powerful oral history collection, we are also pleased to highlight the continued expansion of resources available through the COVID Information Commons, hosted by Columbia University’s Data Science Institute. Reflecting the dynamic and ongoing nature of research and dissemination in this field, a selection of COVID-related oral histories and related research findings are now featured on its publications page. This platform serves as a crucial hub for scholarly articles, reports, and, increasingly, direct narrative accounts that enrich our understanding of the pandemic’s impact from a multitude of perspectives.

The availability of the New York City COVID-19 Narrative and Memory oral history collection, alongside the growing repository of COVID-related documentation, marks a significant step forward in our collective effort to learn from, remember, and make sense of this historic global health crisis. These narratives offer not just a look into the past, but also provide crucial insights as we continue to navigate the pandemic’s long-term consequences and strive to build more resilient and equitable communities. We encourage everyone to explore these resources and engage with the powerful stories they contain.