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Willard Suitcases Update: A Roosevelt Island Lecture

April 22, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Suitcase of Robert Y, courtesy John CrispinA lecture by John Crispin on the famed Willard Psychiatric Center suitcases has been set for Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, led .

When Willard Psychiatric Center closed in New York’s Finger Lakes in 1995, an employee discovered a large collection of suitcases in storage in an attic. Many of these pieces of luggage contained the personal belongings of former patients.

John Crispin spent multiple years photographing these suitcases and their contents. During this talk, Crispin will reflect on the experience of this project and share the photos, which offer a window into the lives and personal stories of patients admitted between 1910 and 1960.

The lecture is the second in a series of spring lectures sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and is free and open to the public.

The New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island is located at 524 Main St, New York.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of the Island’s unique story and pursues preservation of its landmarks and artifacts. For more information, visit their website.

Photo: Suitcase of Robert Y, courtesy John Crispin.

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Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Finger Lakes, Medical History, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

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