Join Morven Museum for a hybrid program, “Uncovering the New Jersey State Village for Epileptics,” both in person and online, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26.
In 1898, in nearby Montgomery Township, the state of New Jersey broke ground on the New Jersey State Village for Epileptics. It was designed to be a completely autonomous community for patients with epilepsy, including educational and medical facilities, a theater, a fully functional farm, a firehouse, housing, and even a power plant.
Spanning the course of Governor Walter Edge’s two nonconsecutive terms in office, the State Village suffered financial hardships and overcrowding that led to terrible conditions for residents.
Join historian and archivist Emily Borowski for a deep dive into the social and medical history that led to and maintained the State Village up until the 1950s. This talk, occurring on the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, will touch on the greater story of those living with disabilities in the community surrounding New Jersey’s first Governor’s mansion.
Morven Museum & Garden is located at 55 Stockton St., Princeton, N.J. A Zoom webinar link will be shared with virtual ticket holders upon registration. A recording of the event will be provided following the program. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uncovering-the-new-jersey-state-village-for-epileptics-tickets-647122229007.
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