Museum of Durham History
Stranger Times
Durham, N.C.
Through Spring 2024
At the beginning of the Stranger Times exhibit, panels are situated in a circle, citing the Emmy-winning Netflix show Stranger Things as part of the origin story. Stranger Times uses the show’s alternate dimension “the upside down” to symbolize what life was like for teens living in Durham at the height of Covid-19. A spotlight is put on every area of their life that changed.
Stranger Times is a remarkable take on how realities were transformed into something never seen before. During the shutdown, the remnants of what life used to be were seen all around us, but just barely out of reach. Stranger Times captures this essence of emptiness and isolation.
The exhibit starts with panels that explain how the show correlates with the pandemic: “A girl with supernatural powers appears. Like the emergence of the Covid-19 virus, no one knows what’s happening, and they are unaware of the extent of the threat that lurks among them.” It’s here that visitors are introduced to the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, known as the Duffer Brothers.
The Duffer Brothers are twins who grew up in Durham. They were inspired by Hugh Jackman’s 2013 movie Prisoner, which is about a man who searches for his missing daughter. The Duffer Brothers turned that concept into a series by adjusting the script of a screenplay they wrote in high school about the conspiracy theory that the U.S. government was conducting experiments to develop psychological warfare techniques.
The next set of panels detail how the Duffer Brothers incorporated their own childhood experiences into the show. Starcourt Mall, which is featured in season three, is modeled after South Square Mall. It was a popular place in Durham in the 1980s.
Posters showcasing the show’s characters are next in line. Many were based on common stereotypes, but then viewers watch them develop unique and complex personalities. There’s a picture of each character, along with their names, and defining qualities. Erica was described as “mature for her age, vivacious, sassy, hard fighter, and an admirer of her brother (which she’d rather not admit).” The last one is a comical yet relatable theme throughout her story line, especially for those who have younger siblings.
The other side of the panels describes the Duffer Brother’s upbringing. They attended public schools, fell in love with movies at the Carolina Theater, a community staple, and visited Wilmington, where they visited a film set for the first time to see a taping of the critically acclaimed teen drama, Dawson’s Creek. The entire display provides a glimpse into their North Carolina ties and is best visited on warmer days.
As soon as visitors walk into the museum, they’re greeted by a wall labeled, “The Real Upside Down.” It’s modeled after a room in the home of Will Byers, one of the main characters. It has faded floral wallpaper, a corded phone, a wooden dresser and cabinet, old games and a lamp. There’s a hole in the wall that casts a picture of downtown Durham in the same light as the upside down in the show. The story begins with the beginning of Covid in 2020 and highlights the moment public school students were sent home. A quote from Will is also pinned to the wall. It reads, “Mom, it’s like home, but it’s so dark. It’s so dark and empty. And it’s cold,” when he describes the upside down. It’s a haunting comparison to what lockdown was like. Everything looked the same, but things were dark, empty, and ominous.
An iPad labeled with the number one and titled “History in a nutshell: The 1918 flu pandemic” sits on the nightstand.
A phone next to it connects visitors to the video playing on the iPad once it’s picked up. It’s specifically about how South Carolina made it through the pandemic. The video uses cartoons and old footage of doctors caring for patients. It explains the difference between an endemic and a pandemic. It shows how the 1918 flu affected rural and urban communities differently, how it spread, and some of the challenges Black communities faced. It also highlights how women were introduced to the medical field after men were shipped off to World War I, and the invention of the flu vaccine.
Learning this history makes visitors realize how many those challenges repeated during the 2020 pandemic. They faced the same issues we did — a reminder of how much things have and have not changed.
iPad number 2 labeled the “Lost Generation from Covid” is pinned to the wall. The video features scenes of kids at their lockers, getting off the bus and inside the school, and clips from the news. It focuses on the emotional challenges children faced, like managing conflict, and how isolation contributed to the skyrocketing levels of anxiety and depression in that age group. It is overwhelming at times and is best watched in increments.
iPad number 3 labeled “Stranger Times: Durham Public Schools During the Pandemic,” sits to the right of number 2. A teacher, the mayor at the time, and another figure tied to the school system are interviewed. They talk about the initial shutdown all the way to the slow return to in-person learning, and scenes from Stranger Things are woven into the video. Mayor Steve Schewel, who served from 2017 – 2021, argues schools and teachers suffered the most.
A teacher says he wanted to quit teaching after 20 years because of online learning. It nearly broke him because he didn’t feel like he was reaching his students. But then, things turned a corner. They began to slowly welcome kids back to school in 2021. He regained his love of teaching just four days into in-person learning and was excited to build relationships again. Listening to his story could be interpreted as an additional reason other teachers left the profession, and how much some value connecting to their students.
iPad number three is labeled “Stranger Times: Durham Public Schools during the pandemic.” Students are asked questions like: What was the hardest part about Covid? What was the best part about Covid? What did you do during Covid?
They offer a variety of honest answers. Some enjoyed the solitude because it allowed them to dive deeper into their interests or hone their craft. Others found solace in spending time their closest friends, while some struggled with not being around people. They describe things felt by everyone, but hearing it come from teens during such a pivotal time in their lives fills visitors with a deep sense of empathy.
They missed out on some key opportunities for joy and emotional and social growth. This was especially true when one student spoke about the change of leaving as an underclassman and returning as an upperclassman.
The obstacles of online learning are the focus he next part of the exhibit. Quotes from teachers, parents, and school staff members are spread along the wall. “I had a student whose mom got Covid and was in the ICU. The priority wasn’t trying to get to zoom school, it was I hope my mom survives,” a teacher says. “They [students] weren’t used to people telling them what to do,” a custodian says.
Lastly, prompts are scattered in a pattern just like the one seen in the show. The display is titled, “The end of the world as we know it and we’re all feeling fine.” Students answer questions like: How were your friends managing during the pandemic? Some kids were taking care of sick family members at the time or didn’t have access to Wi-Fi and couldn’t attend classes. It’s evident these students recognize how certain barriers and complications impacted their peer’s ability to learn. These realities are sometimes overlooked in stories about the current educational gap.
The exhibit is well-crafted and thoughtful. Hearing from students themselves humanizes aspects of life that many only heard about. Stranger Times is a powerful display of perspectives, experiences, and lessons from an age group and those who worked with them closely.
