Explore some suitcases

"When Willard Psychiatric Center in New York’s Finger Lakes closed in 1995, workers discovered hundreds of suitcases in the attic of an abandoned building. Many of them appeared untouched since their owners packed them decades earlier before entering the institution.

The suitcases and their contents bear witness to the rich, complex lives their owners lived prior to being committed to Willard. They speak about aspirations, accomplishments, community connections, but also about loss and isolation. From the clothing and personal objects left behind, we can gain some understanding of who these people were before they disappeared behind hospital walls…”

The Willard Suitcase Exhibit Online is a website created with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. After you enter at the link and read the introduction, go to the menu at the bottom, select a suitcase, and start browsing. It's worth a visit.