Thursday, June 6, 2013

An Historic Occasion

Nineteen years ago this week, Rhode Island formally commemorated the closing of the Dr. Joseph H. Ladd Center at one of the State's least known parks; the Ladd School Memorial Park.

Situated at the corner of Main Street and School Land Woods Road in Exeter, the park, designed by Karen Hillman, was established in tribute to the thousands of people who lived and worked at the facility from 1907 to 1994. It stands upon the place where the original Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded was founded; the site of the Hoxsie farmhouse where Dr. Ladd and the first eight inmates of the institution settled more than a century ago.

Surrounded by a replica of the stone wall that once surrounded the farmhouse, an engraved plaque is affixed atop a stone podium, which reads:

The Ladd Center
1907-1993

Dr Joseph H. Ladd established the Exeter School for the Feebleminded on this site in 1907. He guided its development with dedication for 48 years. During its86 year history Ladd Center was home for 4,533 disabled men, women, and children who were cared for by skillful and compassionate employees. Ladd Center was closed in 1993 after alternative programs were established throughout Rhode Island. This alternative system of facilities was developed over a 15 year period with funds overwhelmingly approved by Rhode Island voters. Leadership in this major effort was provided by govenors J. Joseph Garrahy, Edward D. Diprete, and Bruce Sundlun; by the directors of the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals, Joseph J. Bevilacqua, Thomas D. Romeo, and A. Kathryn Power, By the department's executive director Robert L. Carl, Jr.; and by The Arc, the Ladd Parents' Association, and MHRH staff.

Superintendents: 1907 - 1956 Dr. Joseph H. Ladd, 1956 - 1978 Dr. John G. Smith, 1979 - 1993 George W. Gunther Jr.

Last person moved to a community based facility on March 25, 1994