How are you making history?

The History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff in partnership with the Lake Forest School District 67 and District 115 are launching a new initiative to preserve the memories and experiences of this unique school year now, in real-time. A new digital exhibit called Facing School 2020 gives students, teachers and parents from schools across the community a central place to share their experiences, find encouragement, and access their stories about back-to-school 2020 for years to come.

Q & A with Carol Summerfield, History Center Executive Director and Melissa Oakley, Chief Communications Officer Lake Forest Schools

Why does this matter?
Melissa: This is a historic moment for our school community. Lake Forest and Lake Bluff students, families, teachers, and staff are making history as they navigate learning during a pandemic. We hope anyone Facing School right now will join in sharing their unique experiences through pictures, videos, poetry, reflections— anything they have created that captures how they are feeling during this historic time.

What makes this unique?
Carol: The History Center has become quite adept at developing digital exhibits to make sure our community stays connected to history and shared experiences. We’re particularly excited about this new one, which helps us build a historical archive, directed by our curator Laurie Stein. The site is easy to use and gives users a place where they can share their stories and browse personal stories from students, parents and teachers, as well as news and information from the school and from media sources. We’re anticipating a vibrant living archive that will be used by historians for generations to come. The History Center serves as the exhibit administrator, ensuring that the content is appropriate and safeguarded against any risks to students.

So, what can people submit?
Carol: The exhibit can handle a variety of content from photos and short videos, to artwork, poetry, and journal entries. The platform, designed by PassitDown, is easy to navigate. Entering your information only takes about 3 minutes! We'd love to have all of the students and families in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff participate.

What's the deadline for submitting content?
Melissa: We plan to promote Facing School through the end of the year but the archive will remain online long after and content can always be added.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FACING SCHOOL 2020 DIGITAL EXHIBIT AND START SUBMITTING YOUR CONTENT TODAY!