Portfolio

Hansen's Disease (aka Leprosy): A Feared Infection

Leprosy – also known as Hansen’s disease (HD) – has challenged humanity for millennia. Only about 5% of the population is susceptible to the disease, caused by a bacterium. Acquiring HD requires prolonged exposure. The disease progresses very slowly, giving plenty of opportunity for diagnosis and treatment. Thus the irrational fear of HD, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, has little basis in reality and should be replaced with compassion. Hansen's Disease images

Forms of Punishment:
Eastern State Penitentiary & Charles Street Jail

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and Charles Street Jail in Boston were two of the most influential and controversial prison structures in the United States in the early 19th century. Eastern State Penitentiary embodied the “Pennsylvania Plan” of solitary confinement utilizing a revolutionary central “panopticon rotunda” with radiating spokes of individual prison cells.

Charles Street Jail embodied the “Auburn Plan,” emphasizing silence during days spent working with other inmates, and solitary confinement at night. Rehabilitation was the ultimate goal of both approaches. While Eastern State Penitentiary remains a powerful symbol of 19th century prison design, the Charles Street Jail has proven to be the more influential model for subsequent prisons. Forms of Punishment images

Passages: Portraits of Worcester State Hospital

Throughout its long history, Worcester State Hospital has reflected the changing attitudes toward the mentally ill, and has influenced how mental hospitals across the nation treated their patients. These photographs are the last comprehensive overview of the late 19th century building tragically destroyed by fire in 1991. They record and interpret an institution that has played a historic role in the history of American psychiatry. Passages images

Endangered Species: Historic Worcester Properties

Based on Preservation Worcester's 1996-1997 “Ten Most Endangered Properties” list, this exhibit focuses attention on the city's rich architectural tradition. These properties are threatened by neglect, deterioration, vacancy, abandonment, misuse, and lack of funds for restoration. While considerable progress has been made for some properties, others remain at risk. Endangered Species images