‘Oakdale In Film’ at Lapeer District Library

The Marguerite deAngeli Library and co-author of "Oakdale: The Lapeer State Home," Laura Fromwiller, will be presenting three historical films on state institutions in Michigan including Oakdale Regional Center (The State Home) on Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. The film shows the institution’s day-to-day life as well as the deinstitutionalization of the residents.

Once known as the Michigan Home For The Feebleminded And Epileptic, Oakdale opened in Lapeer in 1895 with a capacity of 200. The state home became a city within itself containing among many other buildings its own farm, dentist office, hospital and post office. At its peak in 1956, Oakdale’s campus contained hundreds of acres, housed over 4,400 patients and employed 1,500 Lapeer area residents making it one of the world’s largest facilities of its kind. Oakdale closed in 1991.
Films to be shown are Michigan History of Our State Institutions For People with Developmental Disabilities, A Wind Is Rising and A Chance To Shine.
Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, call 810-664-6971.

"Oakdale: The Lapeer State Home," published by Arcadia Press, will be available for purchase and signing.
The Lapeer District Library, Marguerite deAngeli Branch, is located at 921 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer.