Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded

First opened in 1910 as the Virginia State Epileptic Colony.

Dr. Albert Priddy in 1912, photo from Eugenics Archive

Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded was an institution established in Virginia in 1910, aimed at housing and segregating individuals deemed epileptic or intellectually disabled. Over the years, its mission and practices have been the subject of significant controversy, particularly regarding its role in the eugenics movement in the United States.

History

The Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded was founded with the intention of providing a segregated environment where individuals with epilepsy and those considered feebleminded could live and work. This was part of a broader movement during the early 20th century that sought to isolate individuals with various disabilities from the general population, under the guise of providing specialized care and preventing the propagation of what were then considered undesirable genetic traits.

Eugenics Movement

The institution became a focal point in the American eugenics movement, which advocated for the sterilization of individuals deemed unfit to reproduce. In 1924, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law that allowed for the compulsory sterilization of individuals housed in institutions like the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded, without their consent. This law was a direct reflection of the eugenics ideology that sought to improve the human race by preventing those with disabilities from having children.

One of the most infamous cases associated with the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded was that of Carrie Buck, a young woman who was committed to the institution and subsequently sterilized against her will. Her case, Buck v. Bell, went to the Supreme Court of the United States, which in 1927 ruled in favor of the state's right to sterilize individuals deemed unfit. This landmark decision legitimized the forced sterilization of thousands of individuals across the United States.

Deinstitutionalization and Legacy

The latter half of the 20th century saw a shift in attitudes towards the treatment of individuals with disabilities, with a growing movement towards deinstitutionalization and the integration of disabled individuals into the community. This shift, coupled with the increasing recognition of the rights of individuals with disabilities, led to significant changes in the operation and mission of institutions like the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded.

Today, the legacy of the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded is a reminder of the dark history of the eugenics movement in the United States and the importance of safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their physical or intellectual abilities.

See Also

• Eugenics in the United States
• Buck v. Bell
• Deinstitutionalization

Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded Resources
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