Mission, Rules, Expectations, and Tips
Our Mission
Kentucky Historic Institution’s mission is to preserve memories, advocate for the forgotten patients and employees, and to educate the public about the individual histories of Kentucky’s historic asylums, hospitals and institutions.
About Us
In 2016, five ambitious and dedicated advocates came together to preserve the diverse histories of Kentucky’s historic asylums, hospitals and institutions. Many of these facilities, long demolished and forgotten, have decades or even centuries of untold stories waiting to be uncovered. As researchers, we rely heavily on primary sources and have uncovered a range of photographs, documentation, and oral and visual histories. We also aim to provide a historiographical picture of how historians have approached institutional histories, particularly in the Appalachian region of the United States.
As diverse as the institutions we research and archive, the founding members of Kentucky Historic Institutions, Phil Tkacz, Jay Gravatte, Hope Bryant, Robin Rider-Osborne and Shawn Logan, have years of combined experience ranging from field and clinical/social service work to extensive research in special collections, archives, and libraries across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. Over the years, our members have connected with former patients, employees, and their families to gain a better understanding of what life was like and how these facilities operated. At this time, our members work entirely on a volunteer basis and do not receive any monetary donations or compensation.
The main page of this website is also home to a blog which will be updated on a regular basis providing educational posts and other information related to the institutions featured on the website. Please remember that the website is a work in progress and we will be providing updates as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you would like to contact us or to provide additional information, photos and/or stories then please click here. You can also visit and participate in our Facebook groups.
Rules and Expectations
- We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
- Make sure everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, politics, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.
- We are now limiting posts to those that are explicitly centered around Kentucky history. This includes Kentucky medical history, Kentucky hospitals, asylums and institutions (e.g. state schools, correctional facilities, DD/ID institutions, etc.), and offbeat history.
- Unapproved Self-promotion and spam and irrelevant links aren't allowed.
- Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What's shared in the group should stay in the group.
- Remember, admins and moderators reserve the right to block, delete, and report any posts or users that violate our policies or public laws.
Tips
If you ever find yourself struggling with posts, research, or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact an admin or moderator! We're here to help and to make things as smooth as possible.
Be sure to check our Resources Page! It provides useful information including: our disclaimer and privacy policies, Board of Charities Reports (1917-1931), a historical medical library with nearly two dozen historical medical texts ranging from Mental Examination Methods to Postmortem Pathology, a medical video library with historical medical videos, profiles in Kentucky medicine and science, highlighting some of the Commonwealth's groundbreakers in medicine and science, public health circulars from the State Board of Health in Kentucky, and a page with comprehensive links to state and national resources.