Landscaping at National Homes
The branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers built after the Civil War were all designed like military installations, with the residents – the Veterans – centrally located and other amenities nearby. These facilities were also considered possible attractive destinations for tourists, bringing attention to Veterans and their prior service. At these branches, landscaping was an essential element to increase the natural beauty of the sprawling campuses.
In this exhibit, experience and learn how the landscaping from the 19th Century was designed. Some of the features were practical in nature, such as to provide food and irrigation for the residents. But it all was integrated to maximize the National Homes natural environment for the Veterans.
By Parker Beverly
VA History Office intern and Wake Forest undergraduate student
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Exhibits
In 2024, the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, hosted by the Grand Junction VA Medical Center and co-presented with Disabled American Veterans, will donate adaptive ski equipment from the early years of the event to the National VA History Center in Dayton, Ohio. The clinic started in 1986 when VA established it and then held the the inaugural event at Powderhorn the following year. The clinic welcomed approximately 90 Veterans from 27 states, bolstered by a volunteer staff of about 20. Despite skepticism from many health professionals of the era, the clinic underscored the importance of physical activity for persons of all abilities.
This exhibit includes multiple items that were used at the early clinics, which are finding a new home at the National VA History Center.
Exhibits
While Veterans engaged in activities and learned trades at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) since its inception after the Civil War, formal occupational therapy programs became components of rehabilitative care for Veterans beginning in the 20th century. This exhibit explores what type of activities were used to treat Veterans by showing items from the collection at the National VA History Center.
Exhibits
VA History Exhibit - While women have served in nearly all of America’s wars, some only achieved the right to Government-provided health care after World War One. This exhibit examines how women Veterans obtained admittance to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 100 years ago in 1923, and profiles what care looked like for these first women patients.
