The items in this exhibit represent artifacts from the St. Olaf College Archives that recall the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which swept across the world between 1918 and 1920. During a tumultuous time of war in the United States, the Spanish Flu created new panic, lives were interrupted by quarantines, masks, and physical distancing.
This exhibit was curated by Chloe Joy ’21
Why the 1918 Flu?
These documents, images, and artifacts trace the impact of the Spanish flu on the lives of the St. Olaf community during the 1918 outbreak, and allow us to draw parallels between their experiences and our collective experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiences and preserved memories of the individuals represented in this exhibit provide a valuable opportunity to learn from the past, and grow.
Masks On!
Much like the Covid-19 pandemic at St. Olaf, students during the 1918 influenza pandemic also wore masks in groups to prevent the spread of the illness. Students were recommended to wear masks, refrain from leaving campus, and limit gathering with other students to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
Living with Influenza
This letter from the Lars. W Boe papers eloquently describes the reality of facing the influenza outbreak long term. “I am beginning to think we shall have this influenza throughout the country all the time, and it is not going to be possible to outrun it. The only thing we can do is get ready to meet it, coming and going here and there throughout the country”. This sentiment echoes similarities with the Covid-19 pandemic, which will likely become endemic throughout the world.
Moving to the Main
The Influenza outbreak of 1918 at St. Olaf College coincided with WWI. At the college, the Student Army Training Corps played a massive role in preparing and reacting to the spread of the flu, however they were also the group most heavily affected by the disease. The vast majority of the cases of influenza within the St. Olaf community were within the SATC, and the doctors and nurses who cared for sick community members. This image depicts SATC cadets as they moved hospital beds to the Main to accommodate for more ailing people.