When Willard Asylum was first built in upstate New York in 1869, there was no one around to say “not in my backyard.” Rather, the town of Willard grew up around the institution. And then, over the course of the next century, the lives of those who lived “inside” and those who lived "outside" became utterly intertwined. The hospital is closed now, but the recent discovery of 400 suitcases belonging to some of its patients has stirred up a lot of memories, as Next Big Thing contributor Blue Chevigny has discovered. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.
» Click on picture for a larger image of some items found at the Willard Asylum(Blue Chevigny)
» More on an exhibit of the found suitcases at the New York State Museum.
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