Life at Carville,
The National Leprosarium

National Hansen's Disease Museum
Elizabeth Schexnyder, Curator

The following is a set of 35 mm color slides shot around 1950. They were donated to the museum by the family of a former patient.

This set of 200 slides was sold at the hospital as “souvenirs” to outside visitors as well as patients who wanted to show their families back home what life was like at Carville. Note: The Personnel Dining Room, is the present-day home to the museum.

Chances are that the slides were sold at a souvenir shop operated by patient entrepreneurs in the “Carville Mall” (Building 24). It’s obvious from the running social commentary that the captions were written by the patients themselves.

With this sunrise we take you on a tour of the only leprosarium in the continental United States, located at Carville, Louisiana

Entrance to the leprosarium.

Many a H.D. patient enter through this gate never no more to pass out. Some made their home here for life, others died and were buried in the hospital cemetery.

Administration Building.

All patients who enter gate are compelled to surrender their baggage for inspection, knives, guns, etc. are not permitted

Home of the medical officer.

Dr. F.A. Johanson has been on the medical staff of the national leprosarium for approximately 30 years. Will soon retire.

Yours truly himself.

Dr. F.A. Johanson in uniform. His height is 6 feet 3 inches. A very fine doctor and gentleman.

Doctors homes.

There are five resident doctors on the leprosarium staff. This is a view of their homes.

Section of grounds show store house in the back. This leprosarium is situated on a plot of ground 400 acres large.

Laundry and Power plant.

This power plant supplies the entire colony with electricity, laundry likewise, washing for the entire colony.

Water Tower.

Water from the filtering plant is pumped into this tank. It supplies the entire colony with fresh water.

Farm land.

A few acres are used to raise crops, corn, hay, soy beans, etc., to feed dairy herd.

Dairy.

The dairy buildings and silos. There are approximately 200 cows. At times there is not enough milk to supply all needs.

Personnel dining room.

There are approximately 400 persons on the personnel staff, each eats one meal a day in the dining room. Visiting doctors and nurses also eat there.

Protestant Chapel.

This chapel and the Catholic Chapel were built and paid for with funds contributed by religiious people in the U.S.A.

Catholic Chapel.

Seventy five percent of Carville patients are Catholic. Masses are said every morning of each day. Sunday's twice.

Sisters home.

Four sisters of the Sister's of Charity volunteered their services to nurse the sufferer of leprosy when everyone else refused. 1896 four sisters arrived here. Since the staff has increased to 21.

Sisters going to work.

Every morning they arise at 4 A.M. They attend mass at 6 A.M. Breakfast at 7 A.M. then off to work they go to the Infirmary.

Looking at front of the infirmary.

The only one of its kind in the continental United States. Built by the State of Louisiana for leprosy patients in the year 1894.

Record Room.

Every patient that enters this leprosarium must give the record of his birth, where his home is, citizen or alien, etc.

Chart room in the infirmary.

Each and every hospitalized patient's record is kept in this room. The nurses and doctors have the records at their fingertips always.

Dental Clinic.

One resident dentist does all the dental work for the entire patients. He's kept busy at all times, 6 days a week.

Pharmacy in infirmary.

This pharmacy does business just like the pharmacy in your town. Patients must get prescriptions from doctors and present at the window for their medicines.

Physical Therapy Room.

This public health nurse is in charge of all the electric appliances used in treating patients with crippled parts on body, mostly hands and feet.

Hydrotherapy Room.

Public Health nurse making adjustments before giving hydrotherapy treatment.

Blood Chemistry Room.

Every day in this room blood is being taken for test from patients.

Corridors outside the infirmary.

There are approximately 2 1/2 miles of these corridors on two floors. Patients use bicycles to travel back and forth from their rooms and the infirmary.

Entrance to Cafeteria.

Through these doors enters at least 350 patients to eat. Meals are served cafeteria style, Breakfast, dinner and supper.

Cafeteria.

This cafeteria has a seating capacity for 400 patients. Meals are served cafeteria style. Medicine is also given out.

Food carts.

These carts carry the food to blind patients living in blind houses; also the carts go to the infirmary with food for the hospitalized patients.

Patients standing on the levee of the Mississippi river watching a submarine pass by. It's not very often patients see a sight like this.

On the levee by the lake.

Patients often come here to spend the day. Many a picnic was held on the levee of Lake Johanson.

Lake Johanson.

Patients enjoying a day of fishing. This is a man made lake and is named in honor of our M.O.C. Dr. Frederick A. Johanson.

These two boats are trying to find out which of them will get to nowhere first. Lake is approximately 500 feet long by 250 feet wide.

Golf link.

Many of our patients play golf. Some are really good. We have a boy patient who is considered a champ on the links.

Airplane made by a patient.

We have other patients making belts, rugs, pottery, knitting, pictures and woodworking craft at this hospital.

A patient points his stick at the names of the first patients that died here. From 1894 to 1922 there have been 125 deaths. All are buried on this old site.

Attending funeral and paying last respects to one of our departed patients. Cemetery is located on hospital grounds.

Grave of Sister Zoe.

Sister Zoe (former chief nurse) is the only Sister of Charity to be buried in the cemetery. It was her request to be buried among the patients she served.

Moss covered oaks.

Patients having a picnic under the shade of the moss covered oak trees.

Amusement hall showing covered walks connections.

This is an air view showing walks from north to south connecting with recreation building.

School buildings.

These quonset huts were recently erected for the purpose of school houses to teach the children who are victims of this disease.

Amusement hall.

This is a front view of the recreation building, in it are theater, reading room, library and hospital canteen.

Memorial Day Services.

On this special occassion everyone takes part. The American Legion boys march to the cemetery. Services are said by both chaplains.

Reading room.

Patiens in the library reading books and newspapers. There is approximately 10,000 books in this library.

Hosptial post office.

This post office is a branch of the regular post office located at Carville, Louisiana.

Hospital lounge.

Two patients reading newspapers in hospital lounge. Backs are turned so not to be recognized because of stigma.

Canteen.

Patients enjoy a cup of coffee in the hospital canteen. This is operated by patients. Profits are used to pay for sports and entertainment.

Mexican program.

Mexican Independence Day the Mexican patients give the entire colony a treat with one of their colorful demonstration of Mexican dances.

Nativity play.

This is a colorful picture of the annual Christmas play. It's an all patient cast directed by Sister.

Patients operate a dry cleaning establishment. They dry clean suits and dresses for the patients.

Gardens.

This garden is made from empty Coco Cola bottles discarded by the hospital canteen. Other gardens have different designs.

Cottage.

The married patients live in cottages. There are approximately 24 cottages on the colony grounds.

Cottages.

This is Main Street on Cottage Row. Many of these cottages were built by the patients themselves.

Party.

A group of married patients enjoying food at a community party held in one of the cottages.

Water tower.

A patient climbed the tower to take pictures of the entire leprosarium.

National Hansen’s Disease Museum
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM

Tele:  (225) 642-1950
Email: NHDPmuseum@hrsa.gov
Web: http://bphc.hrsa.gov/nhdp/NHD_MUSEUM_HISTORY.htm