Steve Davis

Photographer

In The Mountain Shadow -The Rainier School

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Clients: PBS, New York Times Magazine, The Seattle Weekly, Esquire (Russia) New York Times Lens

School: University of Idaho

Gary

Roberta loved her fuzzy hat. Th...she wore it whenever she could.

Roberta loved her fuzzy hat. Though the Rainier School administration discouraged it for reasons of not being helpful to a successful transition out of the institution, she wore it whenever she could.

Colis

Larrie has lived here since 193...ol’s first residents.

Larrie has lived here since 1939, and distinguished as being one the Rainier School’s first residents.

Bill, a live-in resident of the...ait during a spring day stroll.

Bill, a live-in resident of the Rainier School, graciously agreed to an impromptu portrait during a spring day stroll.

This couple was enjoying music ...the residents are not uncommon.

This couple was enjoying music and entertainment, as well as each other’s company at the annual summer dance. Romantic relationships between the residents are not uncommon.

Summer Dance

Wesley

The Rainier School, Buckley Was...w.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/rainier.shtml

The Rainier School, Buckley Washington-- Rainier School is an Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) program certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/rainier.shtml

Trygve, relaxing in his living unit’s kitchen table.

Richard worked at the onsite nursery.

Dave, posing for the camera on ... work shift to his living unit.

Dave, posing for the camera on his way back from a work shift to his living unit.

Corrina

John

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Public Project

In The Mountain Shadow -The Rainier School

Copyright Steve Davis 2024

Date of Work Dec 2005 - Nov 2006

Updated Feb 2020

Location buckley, washington

Topics Abandonment, Aging, Community, Disability, Documentary, Education, Family, Fine Art, Photography, Portraiture, Relationships, Twins

The Rainier School is a state operated institution for the developmentally disabled, not far from Seattle at the base of beautiful Mount Rainier. The school at the Rainier School disappeared years ago. There are no young people. Many of its residents have lived there for their entire lives. They have been betrayed by their minds, and many cases, their bodies. Most of its residents are now elderly, and this extensive campus (complete with pool, bowling alley, restaurant and its own farm) is now home to only about 370 people, about 20% of its peak capacity.

My objective was to document the final days of a school-turned rest home. In a sense, it is a carefully monitored prison. In another, it is a charming country club. Nowadays, as we avoid the institutionalization of the developmentally disabled, the Rainier School and many similar facilities are the victims of our social progress. These images represent the end of a major public commitment, and the unique culture it created.

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