My love for ephemera led me to an incredible online exhibit called, The Lives They Left Behind. The exhibit features the contents and owners of suitcases found in the attic of the Willard Psychiatric Center in NYC after it closed in 1995.
The belongings contained in each suitcase provide evidence of a life prior to being institutionalized - one that was filled with family, friends and a sense of normalcy. At the same time, a semblance of deterioration can be seen on the faces in these individuals as you compare the photographs of when they first arrived to that of their "mug shots". The images were somewhat haunting, at times. What is most shocking are the accompanying stories which often fail to demonstrate any attempts at treatment or healing for these individuals and left me wondering what the point of withdrawing these individuals from society was (if not just to segregate them).
If you get the chance, please have a look... It's quite fascinating.
The Willard Suitcase Exhibit
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