Lab Specials

Front Wards, Back Wards (Promo) (:30)

Produced by William C. Rogers of Coruway Films association with WGBH and ITVS

This program charts the 160-year history of the Walter E. Fernald State School (now called the Fernald Center) in Waltham, Mass., the first public institution in the United States to serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

Today, following an overhaul of its philosophies and practices, the 186-acre Fernald Center clings to its original mission of offering a variety of treatment options in addition to vocational opportunities for its residents. But its future is in jeopardy because the facility, which once housed thousands, is now home to fewer than 200 people. Cameras follow residents and advocates as they travel to the Massachusetts State House to lobby on behalf of the center.

Filmmaker William C. Rogers, who visited his uncle at Fernald for many years, portrays the complex story of the institution. Originally formed in 1848 as a school aiming to train people to better function in their homes and communities, it became an "asylum" in 1890. While still clinging to some idea of training and education, it viewed its main purpose as protecting mainstream society from the negative effects of those considered "feeble minded." Residents who were considered more capable were placed in the "front wards," while those considered more seriously disabled were hidden out of view in the unkempt, warehouselike "back wards."

Front Wards, Back Wards is a production of Coruway films and was produced in association with WGBH via ITVS Lincs program

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Comments

Copy?

Posted by: amom, December 6, 2007 - 15:34

Can one find this work in an archive somewhere to be viewed by students? Is it for sale anywhere? It seems ashame that a piece on something this relevant is not available. Can anyone help?

New Hampshire Film Festival

Posted by: wcrogers, September 28, 2007 - 15:35

Before the upcoming airing on WGBH (10PM on October 23) there will be a screening of Front Wards, Back Wards at the New Hampshire Film Festival on Friday afternoon October 12, at 4:15, The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH.

Fernald photos

Posted by: wcrogers, July 18, 2007 - 11:55

Would love to hear more about Raymo's films and photos. We looked high and low for films, but found a small number. But the ones we did find – a promo from the 50's of the great strides made in brain research – are very powerful. Thanks to the Mass Arc for those film images.

We also had a good number fo photos from the Mass Archives which received those that were formerly at Fernald when I began the project. I also received photos from Derrick TePaske who had done a powerful photo project at Fernald int he 70's. We hope to make those available through our web site and some potential gallery exhibits.

I'll post this at our blog and get a link ot our web site coruway.org.

Was at a screening in maine last night and the personal stories of Fernald and places like it are so alive and present.

Anyone else interested in a means to get these images, sounds and stories posted in some way? I would love to find a way to do this and create a social network for people related to disability, whether a former label or the myriad other ways we connect to the issue and people.

I send thanks to WGBH for providing this forum.

-Bill Rogers

Front Wards, Back Wards

Posted by: Raymo, July 5, 2007 - 20:28

I currently work at one of the MA developmental Centers and have for over 20 years. My curiosity got the best of me over the years and I started to explore the old dormitory buildings, mind you with out permission. I found a wealth of pictures and some old 8mm films.My supervisor and I would sit inside the dorms sometimes and just try to think of how horrible it must have been to have been ripped from your family and crammed into a barren 30' by 30' room with 40 - 60 other boys.When I read "The State Boys Rebellion" it even further peaked my interest into the history of institutions. I live south of Boston and do not receive the Boston channels and a co-worker told me of the "Front Wards, Back Wards" film that aired on GBH. I was wondering if it was going to air again or if there was some way I could purchase a copy. Sorry for the longwinded approach before getting to the point but any info would be greatly appreciated...TY