Under Yazoo Clay: Episode "Threads" Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: Under Yazoo Clay
- Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Mississippi Museum of Art
- Episode: Threads
- Release Date: April 3, 2025
1. Introduction
"Under Yazoo Clay" delves into the hidden history of Mississippi’s former lunatic asylum, uncovering generations of family secrets and forgotten narratives. In the episode titled "Threads," host Bill Lee explores the intricate connections between past and present, focusing on personal stories and community-driven projects aimed at preserving the memories of those who once inhabited the asylum grounds.
2. History of the Yazoo Clay Asylum
The episode begins by recounting the 2012 discovery of over 7,000 patient remains at the site of Mississippi’s old asylum, later associated with Yazoo Clay. These individuals had been buried on the asylum’s grounds, their existence largely forgotten until the construction crew’s unsettling find. As Jackson, Mississippi, expanded around the asylum, the facility became neglected, and its history faded from public consciousness.
Notable Quote:
"Over the course of the old asylum's life, it grew. Jackson grew around it. Its story unspooled threads joining the tapestry of ever expanding daily life in central Mississippi."
– Bill Lee [04:34]
3. Discovery and Rediscovery of Asylum Hill Cemetery
Donna Brown and Kathy Denton from the state hospital museum reveal the rich history preserved through photographs and memorabilia. They share anecdotes about the community's interactions with the asylum, such as Sunday picnics where locals would watch patients from the front lawn. The closure of the asylum in the 1950s led to a period of muted stories until the rediscovery of the Asylum Hill Cemetery reignited interest and lore surrounding the facility.
Notable Quote:
"The rediscovery of the asylum hill cemetery, the lore is also coming back to life."
– Bill Lee [03:40]
4. Personal Stories: Kimberly Jackson and Her Ancestors
A central narrative in this episode is Kimberly Jackson’s quest to uncover her family’s connection to the asylum. Kimberly shares the poignant story of her great-grandmother, Zinni, who was admitted to Asylum Hill after a severe mental health decline following her mother's death. Despite the family's openness about Zinni's time at the asylum, records were scarce, leaving generations without closure.
Notable Quotes:
"Finding Zenith, it fills me to finally know that there was an end to her story."
– Kimberly Jackson [25:03]
"Her husband remained devoted. He went back three times to visit her, but never could bring her back."
– Bill Lee [13:30]
5. The Asylum Hill Project: Connecting Past and Present
The Asylum Hill Project, spearheaded by Lyda Gibson and Dr. Didlake, aims to connect descendants with information about their ancestors buried at the asylum site. The project involves sorting archived patient records and conducting exhumations to respectfully handle the remains. Dr. Didlake emphasizes the importance of respect and acknowledgment for the patients, stating, "The first and foremost duty of care owed to these patients is just respect." [29:13]
Notable Quote:
"The Asylum Hill Project isn't just about connecting descendants with information about their loved ones. It's about that land."
– Bill Lee [28:22]
6. The Loom Initiative: Weaving Memory and Data
A unique aspect of the project is the collaborative loom installation at the Mississippi Museum of Art, created by archaeological field tech Emily Wicke and contributed to by community members like Paige Sorbo. The loom serves as a metaphor for interweaving personal stories with historical data. Vertical threads represent factual information about the asylum's patients—such as race and gender—while horizontal threads allow visitors to add their personal touches, symbolizing the blending of past and present.
Notable Quote:
"The community represented in that pattern isn't just the living, the people who can get to the museum and add their personal touch to this cloth. It's also every patient who passed through the doors of the old asylum."
– Bill Lee [43:04]
7. Challenges and Future Plans of the Project
The Asylum Hill Project faces significant challenges, including extensive record sorting, exhumation processes, and the logistical complexities of handling thousands of remains. Lyda Gibson mentions, "I think I estimated that it would take five years, given our current staffing, to just get everything indexed and separated." [28:57]
Dr. Didlake outlines future plans, such as building a memorial on campus and constructing a standalone mausoleum to house the remains above ground. This approach aims to preserve the memory of the patients while facilitating future identification and respectful handling of the remains.
Notable Quote:
"We're going to build a memorial on campus and not reinter these individuals. That is administratively much more efficient."
– Dr. Didlake [30:37]
8. Reflection on Community and Memory
The episode culminates in reflections on the emotional and communal impact of uncovering and preserving this history. Kimberly Jackson expresses a profound sense of completion upon discovering her great-grandmother’s burial site, highlighting the personal significance of reconnecting with her lineage. The collective efforts of the Asylum Hill Project members and community descendants emphasize the broader importance of remembering and honoring forgotten histories.
Notable Quotes:
"For lack of a better word, completeness."
– Kimberly Jackson [25:03]
"The story of Asylum Hill is unexpected. A crew of scientists, historians, artists, school counselors, professors, and grave doulers, all digging deeper in search of understanding."
– Bill Lee [36:50]
Conclusion
"Threads" weaves together personal narratives, historical research, and community engagement to shed light on a hidden chapter of Mississippi’s past. Through the Asylum Hill Project and innovative initiatives like the collaborative loom, the episode highlights the enduring importance of memory, respect, and connection in healing and understanding collective history.
Final Quote:
"It's a puzzle missing. I have the piece of the puzzle that I just felt like that my family needed."
– Kimberly Jackson [35:59]
Additional Notes: This summary focuses exclusively on the episode's content, omitting advertisements and non-content segments. It captures the essence of the discussions, insights, and emotional journeys presented, providing a comprehensive overview for those unfamiliar with the episode.