Save the Date: Stigma of Leprosy Discussion, Wed., 8/27, 2pm in the Museum
Afternoon Coffee Talk at the National Museum of Health and Medicine
"Carville: The Landscape of Stigma" with guest speaker Elizabeth Schexnyder, Curator, The National Hansen's Disease Museum.
Join a discussion on how the fear of leprosy led to displays of stigma associated with the disease. Learn how "othering" human beings diagnosed with leprosy shaped the unique social and physical landscape of the National Leprosarium at Carville, Louisiana. After the talk, visit the temporary exhibition 'Triumph at Carville: A Tale of Leprosy in America.'
When: Wednesday, August 27, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Russell Auditorium (in the Museum, Bldg. 54)
Cost: FREE!! Coffee!!
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When the patients at the National Leprosarium asked the Coca Cola distributor in Baton Rouge for Coke delivery to Carville, the manager, a leper-phobe, finally agreed to send the patients Coke bottled in cracked and chipped bottles (this was when you could turn in the glass bottles for refunds--he didn't want the bottles back for fear that folks in neighboring towns would find out the bottles had been used by people with leprosy and would stop buying Coke). The patients drank the Coke and used the bottles as decorative borders in their gardens. Years later, Pepsi wanted in on the business at Carville, so they agreed to take back the used bottles with a refund AND they also offered a refund for any Coke bottles that were turned in. Within a short time, the patients dug up all the Coke bottles and gave them to Pepsi.
This is just one of the many stories that Elizabeth Schexnyder shared at the museum today. Elizabeth is the curator of the National Hansen's Disease Museum in Carville, LA. Thank you, Elizabeth for such a compelling presentation and for allowing us a glimpse at life at Carville.
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