Events › Living Archives Celebration Event

Over the last three years, the Living Archives project successfully collected stories of marginalized communities in Mecklenburg County through the COVID-19 pandemic. Those stories - in the form of video, audio, art, text and more - will be preserved by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's digital archive, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, in perpetuity. Focused on equity, the project gathered stories from Black, Hispanic, Asian and Indigenous residents with a focus on those who are essential workers, housing insecure, immigrants, formerly incarcerated residents, small business owners, families with children, teens, college students, the elderly, LGBTQIA, veterans and people with disabilities. The initial project goal was to collect 200 stories and currently, we have been able to collect over 340+ stories, going well above and beyond what we first imagined. Transitioning from a story collection phase, the project shifted gears towards a more community-focused phase where community focused exhibits were available to the public, events and programming provided, as well as the completion of a permanent mural.

The Living Archives project is thankful to gather stories and preserve them through this important initiative, ensuring access to oral histories and experiences that supports an understanding of a truly inclusive and representative history.

We invite you to come and join us for a one-night only special event highlighting the stories and success of the Living Archives project. This special celebration event will be hosted at Discovery Place and is free to the public. It will include guest speakers, artistic performances, space to connect to others, and light refreshments.

The traveling exhibit will also be available for those who weren’t able to see it at other locations throughout Mecklenburg County.

To learn more about the Living Archives project, please visit our website: livingarchivesclt.org