PermanentCollection, photos on Flickr

At the turn of the century, psychiatric hospitals were asylums, places for long-term care. The Topeka State Hospital, regarded as state-of-the-art in its day, was built in 1872 to provide “rest cure”. 70% of state hospital patients would remain hospitalized for life. Many patients had no further contact with their families. Problems ranging from patient neglect, abuse, forced sterilizations of patients, and the murder of a therapist by a patient plagued the Topeka State Hospital through its history. It lost its accreditation in 1988, and closed in 1997. The main building was demolished in 2010.

The Menninger Diagnostic Clinic opened in 1919, much to the chagrin of concerned citizens who feared a “maniac ward.” Because of the stigma of mental illness, the doctors had to bring patients in under erroneous diagnoses.

In 1925, Dr. C.F. Menninger, with sons Karl and Will, opened a 13-bed Sanitarium and Psychopathic Hospital in Topeka. They believed that mental illness could not only be treated, but cured. By 1935, Fortune magazine praised the Menninger Clinic as the “best private hospital west of the Alleghenies”. The Menningers worked collaboratively with other physicians to develop cooperative diagnosis and treatments for patients. Moods, emotions, and anxieties were treated as scientifically as temperatures and infections.

The doctors of the Menninger Clinic developed milieu therapy. All aspects of the patients’ experiences were to be therapeutic. Everyone from housekeepers to psychiatrists was involved in patient care. The Menningers hired artists to lead drawing, painting and sculpture classes. Patients worked in gardens, in the shops, and other activities that would increase their skills and confidence.

Dr. Will served in the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, and helped develop mental health care for the military’s 2.5 million World War II veterans in need of mental health treatment. One hundred doctors joined the clinic to work with the Veterans Administration. Dr. Karl and Dr. Will wrote books, lectured, toured, and advocated for mental health. Dr. Will’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is still used in psychiatric training and practice. Topeka became the largest psychiatric training center in America.

"...Our conception of psychiatric hospitals here is not confinement; we think they are places in which to be treated, places in which to learn to understand one's self, to learn how to live." – Dr. Karl Menninger

In the 1940s – 1950s, the Menningers worked to reform state hospitals, including the Topeka State Hospital. After 5 years, the Menningers’ reform led to 80% of patients returning home after one year.

Dr. Will was on the cover of Time magazine in 1948, and Dr. Karl was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981, the only psychiatrists to be so honored. The Menninger Clinic in Topeka closed in 2003. The Menninger Clinic and Foundation is now affiliated with Baylor University and the Methodist Hospital System in Houston, Texas, and is a world leader in psychiatric treatment, research, and education.

Info from: www.menningerclinic.com/about/Menninger-history.htm

"Scene inspired by the Battles of Alexander the Great" - Attributed to Panayiotis Douxaras (1662-1729) by Tilemahos Efthimiadis

3 2

Attributed to Panayiotis Douxaras (1662-1729)

Scene inspired by the Battles of Alexander the Great

oil on canvas

(Private collection. On permanent loan to the Nationla Gallery)

---

Αποδίδεται στον Παναγιώτη Δοξαρά (1662-1729)

Σκηνή εμπνευσμένη από τις μάχες του Μ. Αλεξάνδρου

λάδι σε μουσαμά

(Ιδιωτική συλλογή. Δάνειο διαρκείας στην Εθνική Πινακοθήκη)

Art Deco Style: Selections from the Library's Permanent Collection by Topeka Library

Art Deco had an impact on all forms of design, from decorative arts to architecture, and from fashion to graphic arts. The origins of Art Deco are diverse. Art Nouveau, Cubism, Fauvism and

Futurism all impacted this new style. The influence of American jazz and dancers like Josephine Baker created interest in African ‘primitive’ arts.

Interest in ancient cultures also played a large role in Art Deco imagery. In 1922, famed Egyptologist Howard Carter delighted the world with his discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. Egyptian motifs and shimmering metallic colors were seen everywhere. The

patterns and geometric forms found in early American cultures played a large role in the Art Deco imagery as well.

Some of the characteristics of Art Deco are: understated and

restrained elegance; sharply angular and geometric lines;

futuristic concepts; suggestion of speed and movement; bold vivid and contrasting colors.

Common Themes: Leaves, branches, and feathers; Nudes; Trapezoids; Stylized animals; Chevrons and zigzags; Sunbursts; Geometric forms; Aztec, African and Egyptian cultural symbols

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

Maria and Julian Martinez

Bowl, c. 1930

Ceramic

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Cotter Hirschberg

1986.041.001

Artist Unknown

Dan Tribe, West Africa

Mask

Wood, steel

Gift of Dr. And Mrs. Cotter Hirschberg 1978.012.018, 1978.012.030

Artist Unknown

Hathor in the form of a Cow

Hathor is the Egyptian sky goddess of love, beauty, motherhood and music.

Artist Unknown

Bastet in the form of a Cat

Bastet (Bast) grants protection against contagious diseases and evil spirits.

Artist Unknown

Glass dish, c. 1901

Glass, metal

Gift of Edward and Mary Wilder

1901.001.136

The Waiting Room / Hirschberg Gallery by Topeka Library

Chair sanded by Topeka State Hospital patients

On loan from an anonymous collector

This chair is typical of the ward furniture in the early days of Topeka State Hospital. In the 40s and 50s the furniture was updated. Many of the old chairs were used in therapeutic activities; it was thought that a focused repetitive activity would help patients to improve. Patients were told to sand these chairs for refinishing. Often the patients would sand in only one small area repeatedly until they were instructed to move to a different spot.