By JAMES EIK
Staff Reporter
One of the most influential forces behind Medical Lake's growth is on display at the library from now through August.
Throughout June, the history of Eastern State Hospital can be found in the library. A number of historical pieces are in the display case, consisting of eyeglasses, older personal belongings and photos.
Pocket watches were made at the facility, which opened in 1891, as were small cane chairs. Both are included in the display.
Branch manager Laura Baird is excited about the three-month partnership, and even learned a few things about the hospital, such as the architecture of original buildings and the steps leading to the hospital's creation.
“You don't see it from town very much,” Baird said of the facility's grounds. “But it's so engrained in Medical Lake's history.
Susan Bordges, community resource program manager at Eastern State Hospital, is the force behind the display and also collected photos from the hospital's Licensed Practical Nurse class. Baird said the number of visitors just to see their graduation photo has been rewarding.
“We've had many people from the program come back and look at the notebook,” she said.
Along with the class photos, the notebook has a brief history of the facility, the evolution of treatment programs and some statistics from the years 1903 and 1904.
Among the statistics includes causes of disease. Financial loss was listed as a cause for three patients in 1903 and seven patients in 1904. Other causes of disease considered at the time included epilepsy, domestic trouble, disappointment in love, living alone, religion and overwork.
Bordges will rotate the display over the next couple of months. July will primarily focus on providing information about the stigma of mental illness. August's display will then have suggestions and ideas of how people can alleviate that stigma.
“I'm thrilled to have the community presentation,” Baird said.
Clinical nurse specialist Elaine Alberti contributed a project, called Photovoice, to the collection. Photovoice includes short messages from patients in the “Finding Meaning Through Photography” group, written about photos they took. The hope is that each page communicates experiences to others.
One page, entitled “Anger,” shares the thoughts of a patient regarding John Carpenter's 2011 movie, “The Ward,” which was filmed at Eastern State Hospital.
“We are basically normal people who need medication to stay that way,” the patient wrote. “They don't make movies about diabetes or people suffering from heart disease, so why do they make movies about the mentally ill? Especially movies that are hurtful to our lives.”
In the pages of historical information the reasons are listed for why Medical Lake was selected as the site for the hospital. One reason was the offer was “the most liberal of any made.” Land owners gathered several acres to donate toward the project, which also helped sway the final decision.
Cost of care is detailed as well, showing an incredible look into the past. In 1897, the daily cost of care for one of the 267 patients was 41 cents. When the facility's population reached its peak in 1954, at 2,274 patients, the daily cost of care was $2.26. The facility has seen a number of changes over the years, including newer treatment programs. The community mental health movement was in place from 1960 until 2005, when the recovery model started. As a result of the changes in treatments and other programs, the daily cost of care for one of the 287 patients this year is $585.
The display case at the Medical Lake library is available each month for public displays. Last August, the Medical Lake Historical Society showcased a number of items from the city's past. In November, a large display of menorahs was provided from a family in Medical Lake.
To reserve use of the case, or to learn more information, call the library at 509-893-8330.
James Eik can be reached at james@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)