CSNI has embarked on a
project to create an hour long film documentary about Laconia State
School. Gordon DuBois, CSNI Training Consultant, is working with Bil Rogers of 1L Media (www.1LMedia.com) in
the production of the film. Bil
previously worked on Nova, History Channel and National Geographic
specials. The film is scheduled for release in May 2010. It will be
premiered at the New Hampshire Family Support Conference on May 1,
2010, Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, NH.
The documentary will trace the history of
the New Hampshire School for the Feebleminded, or The Laconia State School,
from its initial beginnings in the early 1900’s until its closure in 1991.
Interviews with former residents of the institution, parents, and people who
worked at the institution, along with previous film footage, an extensive
collection of photos, newspaper articles, letters and state documents, we
will be used to bring to life the story of New Hampshire’s only state
operated institution for persons with developmental disabilities.
Trailer
updated 2/4/2010 to include additional footage (29 minutes)
The purpose of this project is to provide
a thought-provoking and inspirational documentary that examines the social
values and cultural ideals of the twentieth century relative to individuals
who were labeled feebleminded, deficient, and idiots and to their families
who sought to care for them in the way society dictated. In the first half
of the twentieth century, these social values and cultural ideals mandated
that thousands of children and adults be institutionalized in large,
state-operated institutions throughout the country and, in the case of New
Hampshire, at Laconia State School.
When completed this documentary will be
shown at select locations throughout New Hampshire and used by human service
agencies, schools, colleges, parents and self advocates to learn that, "NH's
citizens with disabilities and their families won New Hampshire's most
important civil rights battle when they gained their rights to full
citizenship, education and participation in community life." (Don Shumway).
Funding
for the project has been provided by the NH Area Agencies for Developmental
Services, The Developmental Disabilities Council, and the CSNI Training
Collaborative. Additional funds are still needed to complete the project.
http://www.laconiastateschooldoc.com/
If you or your organization would like to support this project through a
donation, you can contact Dennis Powers at Community Support Network, Inc.,
The Concord Center, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 401, Concord, NH 03301.
603-229-1982 or dpowers@csni.org
In sincere appreciation of their generous
donations we would like to thank our most recent donors:
Rep. Thomas
Donovan
Roberta Gallant
Robin Carlson on
behalf of Frank Caswell and Raymond Chagnon
Jane Dichard
Freda Smith
Kiwanis Club of
Salem NH
VFW Auxiliary of
Salem NH
Knights of
Columbus Salem NH
American Legion Post 63 Salem NH
Bernard and
Marilyn Campbell
Laconia Savings Bank
Russell Ingram
NH Council on Developmental Disabilities
CSNI Training Collaborative
Bureau of Developmental Services
The Garafalo Family in honor of
Brie Dillon's 25th birthday
Charles Kamitian
Gateways Community Services
Region 10 Community Support
Services Fund Raising Committee
Department of Education
The Salem Arc
Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home
Salem NH
Independent Services Network
Knights of Columbus Bishop
Peterson Council No 4442
