Pandemic Archive Will Collect COVID History In Monmouth County

MANALAPAN, NJ - A COVID-19 pandemic archive to help preserve related government records for historical purposes is being created by Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon's archive office.

Hanlon is asking municipal and county government officials to submit documents pertaining to the pandemic to be preserved within the County Clerk’s Archives, which are based in the headquarters of the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is an historic event that will be of great interest to future historians, researchers, scientists, health and public policy experts, as well as government leaders,” said Hanlon.

“It is critical that we take steps now to secure these records, and Monmouth County will be at the forefront of this preservation effort.”

The Monmouth County Clerk's Office oversees the County Archives, where county government records, both paper and digital, are stored and preserved.

The archives also houses county and municipal government records, as well as special collections, including newspapers, photographs, and maps.

To view an informational video about the County Archives and its collections, visit MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives.

“The COVID-19 Pandemic changed lives worldwide and altered precedent for how government responds to crises,” said Hanlon.

“Regardless of any outcomes, we must preserve as much information as possible for future knowledge about this historic time period.”

She said the archives office has designed a method for municipal governments to submit documents to us for preservation.

"We will be reaching out to all of the 53 municipalities in Monmouth County to request participation," she added.

For questions about the COVID-19 Archive, please email William.Elwell@co.monmouth.nj.us or call 732-431-7324, ext. 8745.