In the wake of the closure of institutions for people with disabilities, such as Iowa’s Glenwood Resource Center, the graves of former residents are at risk of being forgotten. The Glenwood cemetery, which holds the remains of about 1,300 individuals, many of whom lived in the institution for decades, reflects a history of neglect and isolation. These individuals were often buried without family nearby and with minimal identification on their gravestones, which typically feature only a first initial, last name, and a number. As these institutions shut down, the fate of their cemeteries has become a point of concern for disability rights advocates.
A Forgotten History
The Glenwood Resource Center, which closed in 2024 after allegations of poor care, was once home to people with intellectual disabilities, many of whom lived there for the majority of their lives. The cemetery on the grounds, dating back to the 1800s, has become a quiet symbol of how those with disabilities were once removed from society and left to live isolated lives in institutional settings. As many of these institutions across the U.S. have closed, their cemeteries have often been abandoned, overgrown with weeds, and left to deteriorate.
The neglected graves highlight the broader issue of how people with disabilities, especially those in long-term institutions, were often viewed as invisible or less deserving of dignified remembrance. The burial sites are a stark reminder of how these individuals were treated in life and in death, their identities buried beneath the labels of their conditions.
The Fight for Recognition
Activists like Pat Deegan, a Massachusetts mental health advocate, are leading efforts to restore these neglected cemeteries and ensure the individuals buried there are recognized and memorialized. Deegan, who helped restore cemeteries at the Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts, believes that the restoration of these graves is about more than just physical upkeep. It’s a way to restore humanity and dignity to those who were marginalized.
The efforts in Glenwood are just beginning, with local civic leaders and former staff calling for better maintenance and historical recognition of the cemetery. However, there are concerns that some of the graves may be mismarked. State officials, while committed to preserving the cemetery, have yet to make firm plans for its future, and the fate of the Glenwood site will depend on ongoing negotiations between state and local authorities.
The Broader Issue
This situation is not unique to Iowa. Across the U.S., former institutional sites have left behind cemeteries where the names and stories of those buried there have been forgotten. Many institutions, built in rural areas, were seen as providing a clean and wholesome environment, but they often subjected their residents to inhumane conditions, including forced isolation and restraint.
The closing of these facilities, which began in the 1950s and continues today, has been driven by growing awareness of the abuse and neglect that took place behind the institution’s walls. However, the closure of these places often leaves behind empty, forgotten cemeteries that serve as grim reminders of a troubled past.
Moving Forward
As officials in Glenwood and other communities work to develop the land and redevelop former institution sites, including turning some into housing, it’s crucial that they include plans for honoring the people buried there. For many, creating a memorial or installing historical markers is essential for preserving the memory of those who lived and died in these institutions.
In the end, advocates argue that honoring the lives of these individuals is not just about restoring physical markers, but about acknowledging their humanity and ensuring that future generations understand the struggles and hardships they endured. Without this commitment, the graves of the forgotten will continue to fade into obscurity.
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