Sometimes its nice to let go and just photograph the world around you without worrying too much about your composition and subject. Box and I took some time to walk the Canal and photograph it at night.
Enjoy.
JC
Augusta, Georgia Miller Theater
•August 8, 2010 • Leave a CommentThe Miller Theater, opened in 1940, was at one time one of the grandest theaters in Augusta. Designed by architect Roy A. Benjamin, it reflects the typical Arte Moderne style, complete with glass blocks and curved neon marquee. It is currently the last remaining theater of this type in Georgia.
In the decline of downtown Augusta in the early to mid ’80s, the theater was forced to close and sat unused. Over the years, the theater had been damaged by the elements, and was on the verge of being condemned.
Stars like Eddy Arnold and Katherine Hepburn have performed at or visited Augusta’s Miller Theater. The world premiere of the film `The Three Faces of Eve‘ was held at the Miller Theater. Even in it’s last days, the theater was the home for Augusta’s own performing arts groups such as the Augusta Ballet and the Augusta Players.
The Miller Theatre, designed in Art Moderne style, complete with a glass block facade and circular neon marquee, opened in 1938. It was designed by architect Roy A. Benjamin, whose other notable theaters include the San Marco Theatre and Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Marion Theatre in Ocala, Florida.
In 1957, the world premiere of the movie “The Three Faces of Eve” starring Joanne Woodward, a Georgia native, took place at the Miller Theatre. The two psychiatrists who wrote the book on which the film was based were from Augusta.
The theater closed in 1983, but is currently in the midst of a restoration project.
Carthage state hospital – VA
•July 31, 2010 • Leave a CommentCarthage state hospital
The origin of Carthage state hospital dates back to the close of the Civil War when in April 1865, Congress created the Freedman’s Bureau to establish hospitals, schools and other facilities for the African-American population.
In December 1869, a former Confederate Facility, known as Howard’s Grove Hospital, was designated as a mental health hospital for African-Americans. The name was later changed to Central Lunatic Asylum. In June 1870, the General Assembly passed an act incorporating the Central Lunatic Asylum as an organized state institution. When the Commonwealth of Virginia assumed ownership, there were “123 insane persons and 100 paupers, not insane” housed at the asylum.
In 1882, the Mayfield Farm in *** County was purchased by the City of *** for $15,000 and presented to the Commonwealth for the development of a new mental health hospital. The first patients (a total of 373) were transferred to the present site of the hospital on March 22, 1885. Ten years later, the population had doubled and by the end of 1950, there were 4,043 inpatients with 691 on parole or escape status. Within a few years, the average inpatient population had reached 4,800 and overcrowding in the old unsafe ward buildings had become a major problem.
During the 1950′s, a Maximum Security Forensic Unit was built for the evaluation and treatment of patients referred by the courts. A geriatric treatment center was also erected for the care of the chronically ill and bedridden. This was the first in a series of five treatment buildings constructed specifically for geriatric services. With the improvement in community services, the Barrow Geriatric Center was closed in the summer of 1985.
The years between 1962 and 1968 brought many changes to CSH. Hospital services and facilities were upgraded and four adult treatment buildings were erected. The early sixties also saw the beginning of treatment for adolescents and the first alcohol abuse treatment program. From its founding until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Carthage state hospital served and treated only African-American Mentally Ill, Mentally Retarded, Geriatric, and Criminally Insane from the entire state of Virginia. In 1967 the Hospital opened its doors to accept patients regardless of race or national origin and only from the Central Virginia area.
In 1971, Mentally Retarded patients at Carthage state hospital were transferred to a new and separate facility constructed on the campus specifically for the the treatment of the Mentally Retarded. Southside Virginia Training Center continues to treat nearly 600 severely and profoundly retarded patients.
