
Mr. Scarecrow and I wish all of you a Happy Halloween.
Like many hospitals of the time, the hospital on Ellis Island had an autopsy theater for students to learn about anatomy and disease. Most of the fixtures had been removed from the room, but the doors on the former refrigerator remained intact.
Several years ago the renowned artist JR created an art sintallation called Unframed in the abandoned hospital on Ellis Island. It is made up of life-sized histrorical photographs from the hospital from “back in the day”. The images are haunting. While time has faded them, this adds something to their effect. They look as worn as their surroundings.
On the tour of the abandoned hospital on Ellis Island, they bring you into a room and ask you what you think this rather large contraption iin the wall is for. Many people think it is for cremating bodies. Not quite. It is to sterilize mattresses. Put a mattress in, turn up the heat, and no more bedbugs.
These people are all running the 125th Boston Marathon today. Yesterday, they and thousands like them gathered at the finish line for photo opportunities. It’s the people that make the marathon. Without the runners, organizers and volunteers, it would be just another start of the week. Good luck all.