Rabbi Rob Thomas

Old Jacksonville Post Office Recollections with Pat Kennedy

Pat Kennedy discusses his memories of the Old Jacksonville Post Office growing up Jacksonville in the mid-twentieth century. Pat Kennedy's father worked in the lower level of the building, so Pat was a frequent daily visitor.

Jim Elliott - Growing up in Jacksonville, and Building a Successful Business

Jim Elliott spent his childhood in Jacksonville, and attended college locally where he met his wife. They then moved to southern California, where they built a successful business. Hear his story, and his connections to our area.

Rabbi Rob Thomas

Rabbi Rob Thomas discusses his upbringing in Jacksonville, work, unusual hobby, spiritual journey, and his investment back in his hometown.

Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong - Jacksonville Developmental Center

During the summer of 1951, Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong took a summer job in the Occupational Therapy Department at the Jacksonville State Hospital. Her job entailed providing organized daily activities for a group a patients. This podcast discusses her work, and the special relationship with a reclusive resident named Alma. The interview was conducted in 2021 with Laura Marks, Mary Ann's daughter.

Roy Wright, 1972 Interview - Jacksonville Developmental Center

Topic: Changing care and attitudes toward mental care Roy Wright was an employee at the Jacksonville State Hospital from 1935 until after 1972 when this interview was recorded. His jobs included attendant, dietary department, affiliate nurse, assistant chief nurse, chief nurse, and eventually administration. He discusses the changing methods in patient care and treatment, changes in community attitudes toward mental illness, and changes in living conditions and staff in the hospital. This recording was done October 6, 1972 by interviewer Roger Streitmatter. This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.