Remembering Letchworth 30 Years After Closure: A Commemorative Event

Join us in marking the 30th anniversary of the closure of Letchworth Village with presentations, exhibits, and interactive experiences reflecting on the history of the state school and it's role in disibility history. At the conclusion of our event, we recommend a visit to the Patriot Lounge to enjoy some lunch.

We invite you to visit our Memory Wall to share a reflection from your time at Letchworth, dedicate a message to a loved one who worked or lived there, or offer words of encouragement and remembrance. You may bring a copy of a photo to post in memory of your loved one as well.

As part of this year’s commemoration, a dedicated Oral History & Archiving Area will be available throughout the event.

We invite

• Former employees
• Former residents
• Family members of former staff or residents

to share their stories and memories of Letchworth Village. A quiet recording space will be set up to collect oral histories, ensuring that personal experiences are preserved for future generations.

We will also have paper copies available for those who would like to take it home to reflect on their answers for a bit or to share it with someone they know who couldn't attend the event. These can be mailed back to us in the provided envelope.

In addition, we will have an area where attendees can:

• Have historical artifacts photographed
• Bring personal photographs to be digitally scanned
• Share documents or memorabilia connected to Letchworth Village

Attendees are welcome to have their items photographed or scanned and then take them home. However, for those who wish to contribute more permanently, there will also be an opportunity to donate items to help preserve the history of Letchworth Village for future research, exhibitions, and educational programming. Donation is entirely optional, and all contributions will be handled with care and proper documentation.

Every photograph, object, and shared memory helps deepen the historical record and ensures that the lived experiences connected to Letchworth Village are respectfully preserved for future generations.

Even small or seemingly ordinary objects can hold powerful stories. If you’re unsure whether something qualifies as an artifact, bring it — our team can help determine how best to document it.

We will have on display multiple informational exhibits in relation to Letchworth Village. This includes artifacts once used on the property, as well as information found online.

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Host or Publisher Letchworth Village Preservation Project