Perusing papers and scraping through scrapbooks, a committee is eagerly amassing the history of the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
Located high on a hill in Marion, Va., the hospital dates back to 1887.
It’s gone by several names in its history, including Southwestern State Hospital and Southwest Lunatic Asylum.
Built of brick, the hospital’s Henderson Building dates back to the institution’s beginnings and is listed on both state and national historic landmark registers. It takes its current name from Dr. E.H. Henderson, who served as superintendent of the hospital in the 1920s.
HOPING FOR MORE
In putting together a history project, Sharon Neitch, a longtime hospital employee, has put out a call, wanting to collect and scan historic photographs.
Neitch has gotten a few so far "but not a ton of them."
But Neitch is hoping for more.
And she’s hoping to eventually help compile a book of hospital history with the guidance of Melissa Schrift, an assistant professor of anthropology at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tenn.
Collecting a century’s worth of history, Schrift said, might seem overwhelming.
"But I think people, because of Sharon, are so willing to tell their story and talk to us," Schrift said. "And, once you have accessibility, that’s half the job."
‘VERY DIFFICULT’
So far, the women have interviewed several people – including employees who have witnessed various operations like lobotomies and electroshock therapy, Schrift said. "And it’s very difficult for people to talk about."
Still, the women also want to hear about a little bit of everything – including families, like Neitch’s, that have had several generations work at the hospital.
This summer, Schrift has also enlisted the help of her ETSU students to conduct several one-on-one interviews.
"The interviews are going well," Neitch said. "We’re putting together all the other references and resources we can find, so I think the outcome will be a very nice publication."
YOU CAN SHARE
What: History project at Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute
Info: (276) 783-1200 Ext. 108
E-mail: Sharon.Neitch@dbhds.virginia.gov
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