The history of a place leads to so much more history — the history of people, of health, or of how people think. And the ways they think lead to how they behave.

The Utah State Hospital leads to a history of mental illness, how mental illness has been treated over time and how medical professionals and ordinary people think of and deal with people with mental illness.

Janina Chilton, historian for the Utah State Hospital and curator of its museum, will show and tell the story of treating mental illness in Utah during the past 130 years.

The Utah State Hospital was established in 1885 in Provo as the Territorial Insane Asylum. Today, it still stands in its original location, one of Utah’s oldest original public institutions.

Chilton examines the history and changing practices of mental health treatment in Utah from the arrival of the first pioneers to current programs.

Her program consists of original photographs and artifacts, some of which date back to the earliest days of the institution. Several original artifacts, such as a straight jacket and Oregon boot, will be available to show of some of the early treatment modalities.

Chilton worked in mental health 45 years. Retired from the State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, she works part-time at the Utah State Hospital as the hospital’s historian.

She organized a museum and is preserving and cataloging photographs and records of the 129 years of the hospital’s history.

Chilton worked at the Utah State Hospital for 25 years. In conjunction with the Utah Historical Society she had two hospital buildings placed on the National Register of Historic places.

What: Utah Valley Chapter, Utah State Historical Society

Speaker: Janina Chilton, “Straight Jackets & Neurotransmitters: 130 Years of Mental Health Treatment in Utah”

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Provo City Library at Academy Square, Provo

Info: (801) 489-8256