The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council has created a powerful, thought-provoking website, “Out of the Shadows: The Legacy of Pineland,” that tells the story of Pineland as an institution that housed people with developmental disabilities, as well as others, until it was closed down in the 1980’s.
“This exhibit tells the history of the people, ideas, and issues around institutional care for Maine’s persons with developmental disabilities, looks briefly at the 25 years of community services that have followed, and brings to light a concerning truth – that as far as we’ve come in our understanding about what people with developmental disabilities need in order to live full and self-determined lives, there is even now a danger of sliding back into the ideas that led to places like Pineland. We hope that this story brings home the lessons of institutionalization for each person that visits.” — from the exhibit website.
“Out of the Shadows: The Legacy of Pineland” includes a timeline that traces history, policies and personal stories from colonial times to the present. The exhibit has photographs and news clippings, along with sources and resources, and offers opportunities for readers to share their reflections. The New Gloucester Historical Society is among those credited and thanked in the exhibit.
