Lest We Forget

Provide quality of life enhancements to individuals of all ages with disabilities to promote their ability to live independently with dignity and self-esteem in the community

The Lest We Forget Remembrance Sculpture Gazebo and Park

Dedicated June 2, 2004 – Akron, Ohio
P.R. Miller, Artist

The Lest We Forget Project is a statewide initiative that preserves the history of the struggles of people with developmental disabilities and celebrates the continuing journey to equality and acceptance. The project is initiated and coordinated by Crest Network, Partners in Community Living and Resident Home Association. Crest Network Agencies were invited to develop their own local projects. Partners in Community Living and Resident Home Association spearheaded the development of the Lest We Forget CD. The Ardmore Foundation initiated the gazebo and park project in Summit County, Ohio

Artist P. R. Miller Summit County artist, P.R. Miller traveled to six Ohio counties (Summit, Columbiana, Portage, Montgomery, Wayne, and Stark) and worked with 225 individuals serviced by Ohio County MR/DD systems. The participants made clay tiles with their own unique design and signature. The University of Akron, Myers School of Art-Ceramics Department students fired the tiles and helped the artist install the tiles on the floor of the gazebo.

The dedication of the Lest We Forget Sculpture Gazebo and Park was a truly memorable event. Scores of individuals from around the state whose art comprises the memorial were present for the celebration in addition to members of the MR/DD service community, city officials and concerned citizens. The group shared food, music, and participated in a moving award ceremony. The artists’ faces beamed when they saw their work permanently installed in the community monument. The fellowship shared that day united individuals who may have experienced the unhappy history of persons with disabilities, with members of a generation of caregivers, students, and planners who had little or no experience with their previous plight.

A view of the progress made and hope that future generations will continue to forge ahead on a path paved with respect, dignity and rights for all persons with disabilities is permanently installed in the Gazebo and will be beautifully represented by the foliage and climbing flowers which have found a home in the park.

The Lest We Forget Park continues to bloom and grow and in 2006 became a Let's Grow Akron site. We have added many perennials and annuals and the wisteria vines have completely covered the gazebo frame.

lest we forget: spoken histories

a 2 CD set audio commentary on state institutions
From behind the walls to the long journey home, heard now in their own voices, history as only it can be told by those involved in the last years of institutionalization of those labeled mentally retarded.

Hear introduction

Hear sample

Can't play the audio files? Click here to download Microsoft Media Player

Inquire about purchasing

About the Project ... Partners in Community Living: www.rhadayton.com