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March 05, 2004

(SYRACUSE, NY) — The history of public health in Onondaga County can now be easily traced as the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. (VNA) has transferred their historical records to the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA).

"We are grateful to the Onondaga Historical Association for accepting our records and adding them to their collection of artifacts," said Indi L. Shelby, President and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York. "It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with them on this project. They are an enthusiastic and dedicated group that does tremendous work. Thanks to their efforts, we know the records are safe and preserved."

The contents of the collection, an unrestricted gift to the OHA, include all materials dated as far back as 1880 through 1965. With the onset of Medicare the following year, this represented a pivotal point in the history of public health. Among the many preserved documents are a detailed history of the organization, Board minutes, membership records, annual reports, subject files relating the state and county health departments as well as professional health and nursing organizations, extensive photos, newspaper clippings and countless printed Association materials.

"Because the history of the Visiting Nurse Association really represents the history of public health in Syracuse and Onondaga County, we knew that public access to these documents would be valuable. The preserved documents address early efforts to decrease infant mortality, chronicle the diphtheria epidemic of the early 1920s, the recurring battles against tuberculosis, the challenges of the polio epidemics and a host of other public health challenges faced throughout the years," stated Ms. Shelby.

The donation to the OHA is the first phase of the VNA's plan for preserving the materials. The organization plans to hire a Historian to conduct an in-depth analysis of the materials and ultimately write a 25 to 40-page historical narrative about public health as it relates to the VNA and the role the organization has played in the progression of public health in Onondaga County. The VNA and OHA also plan to collaborate on developing an exhibit for the OHA museum, which is expected to draw between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors. Underwriting support for the plan has already been received from organizations such as Welch Allyn and Peerless Press, Inc. The VNA is currently working to secure additional funding for the project. Ms. Shelby indicated that, "judging from the enthusiasm and support we've received from community leaders thus far, it's obvious that others see the value of having access to these documents"

Since 1863, the OHA has been collecting documents, photographic materials, manuscripts, and maps that help tell the story of Onondaga County. They are currently expanding their collection development mandates, and are seeking documents from organizations and neighborhoods that have not traditionally been collected. "We are particularly delighted to have been entrusted with VNA's historical records, and are pleased to make them available to researchers who wish to study the history of public health in Onondaga County. By reading the letters, reports, and memos in the collection, and by perusing a large number of intriguing photographs, scholars can get to know the people who have made VNA a vigorous and exemplary part of our community: this is Onondaga County at its best," stated Phil McCray, Archivist and Manger of the OHA's Research Center.

Under the deed of gift terms between the VNA and OHA, the OHA archived the materials by placing them in acid-free folders and boxes. The OHA also assumed responsibility for developing a finding aid for researchers to easily locate the materials. A bibliographic record that describes the scope of content of the collection has also been mounted on the online database of the Library of Congress. For more information on the collection, visit http://www.cnyhistory.org or contact the OHA at 428-1862.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York is the oldest and one of the largest certified home health care agencies in Central New York. The agency was founded in 1890 with the mission of bringing professional health care to the home and teaching family how to care for their ill loved ones. Today, the not-for-profit agency provides skilled nursing, maternal and child health services, medical social work, nutrition, diabetes education, home health aide service and rehabilitative therapies to over 1,200 patients throughout Onondaga County.

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