Interview with Faye Ringel
InterviewerInterviewed by
Peter Moran
Date2022 May 31
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 1 Hour, 11 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Object number2022.20.11
DescriptionInterview with Faye Ringel. Interviewed virtually by Peter Moran on May 31, 2022 on Zoom.
Ringel first heard about Covid-19 at a science fiction convention. Closing the Norwich Arts Center was the first disruption to her life, but generally she developed anxiety about leaving the house. She used curbside pickup for groceries and did not go out to restaurants.
Ringel is an expert in apocalyptic fiction and film and said she had “always been expecting this.” She compares Stephen King’s “The Stand” to the government’s reaction to the pandemic.
Ringel discussed the negative impact that the pandemic had on the Norwich Arts Center performances and volunteers, as well as the work she had to do to acquire grants to keep the organization running. It was a struggle to agree when to reopen the Center.
Ringel discussed her most recent publication, “The Gothic Literature and History of New England: Secrets of the Restless Dead.” She was able to do all her research for the book online. She met with gothic scholars from around the world online.
After the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival was canceled permanently, Ringel partnered with performers, Mystic Seaport employees, and volunteers to create a new non-profit to present The Connecticut Sea Music Festival.
Ringel compared the Covid Pandemic to the Pandemic of 1918 and shared an anecdote about covering up the death and loss in 1918. She stated that evidence of the 1918 pandemic should have appeared more in literature, but it does not show up.
Ringel shared her experience receiving the covid vaccine. She agreed with vaccine mandates and mask mandates.
Prior to covid she had decided to research New England’s cover up of slavery, which ended up coinciding with the awareness raised by the Black Lives Matter protests.
Ringel discussed the concept of President Donald Trump being included as a monster in science fiction and horror stores prior to his presidency. She expressed relief that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Ringel noted she was disappointed that she can’t help and volunteer anymore due to the pandemic, but that her online community has grown. She has also been leading services at multiple synagogues via Zoom.
She highlighted the value of telemedicine at a time when hospitals could not accept patients for reasons other than covid.
Ringle discussed more of her writing and her work with LaShawn Cunningham to bring dance classes to after-school programs for young children.
She described the pandemic as “inevitable.”
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Historical Society’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the impact of Covid-19 on Connecticans, particularly on Black and Brown communities, funeral homes, and on nursing home and elder care populations.Ringel first heard about Covid-19 at a science fiction convention. Closing the Norwich Arts Center was the first disruption to her life, but generally she developed anxiety about leaving the house. She used curbside pickup for groceries and did not go out to restaurants.
Ringel is an expert in apocalyptic fiction and film and said she had “always been expecting this.” She compares Stephen King’s “The Stand” to the government’s reaction to the pandemic.
Ringel discussed the negative impact that the pandemic had on the Norwich Arts Center performances and volunteers, as well as the work she had to do to acquire grants to keep the organization running. It was a struggle to agree when to reopen the Center.
Ringel discussed her most recent publication, “The Gothic Literature and History of New England: Secrets of the Restless Dead.” She was able to do all her research for the book online. She met with gothic scholars from around the world online.
After the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival was canceled permanently, Ringel partnered with performers, Mystic Seaport employees, and volunteers to create a new non-profit to present The Connecticut Sea Music Festival.
Ringel compared the Covid Pandemic to the Pandemic of 1918 and shared an anecdote about covering up the death and loss in 1918. She stated that evidence of the 1918 pandemic should have appeared more in literature, but it does not show up.
Ringel shared her experience receiving the covid vaccine. She agreed with vaccine mandates and mask mandates.
Prior to covid she had decided to research New England’s cover up of slavery, which ended up coinciding with the awareness raised by the Black Lives Matter protests.
Ringel discussed the concept of President Donald Trump being included as a monster in science fiction and horror stores prior to his presidency. She expressed relief that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Ringel noted she was disappointed that she can’t help and volunteer anymore due to the pandemic, but that her online community has grown. She has also been leading services at multiple synagogues via Zoom.
She highlighted the value of telemedicine at a time when hospitals could not accept patients for reasons other than covid.
Ringle discussed more of her writing and her work with LaShawn Cunningham to bring dance classes to after-school programs for young children.
She described the pandemic as “inevitable.”
Cataloging Note: This cataloging project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-249472-OMS-21.
Status
Not on view
2022 November 9
2023 May 10
2022 December 5
2022 December 6
2022 November 16
2022 June 2
2022 February 26
