BATH, NY (WENY) -- Thousands of veterans across the region depend on the Bath VA Medical Center for care. The VA sits on a history property in Steuben County, and in addition to its hospital, specialty care offices, domiciliary, and fire department, the campus is home to a museum.
Tucked back near the national cemetery sits the Bath VA Museum, showcasing military and medical artifacts dating from the civil war through modern day. Now, the museum has expanded with new contributions on view, thanks to a VA employee and the veterans she's helped over 16 years.
The Bath VA got its origins as the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home, established in 1879, in the years following the Civil War.
"After the civil war, there were no New York State Soldiers Homes. And our veterans, we had the most wounded and the most killed during the war. And our veterans had to go to a national soldiers home if they wanted care. So the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), similar to like our American Legion posts now, put a drive on to establish a soldiers home for our veterans," said VA museum volunteer, Bob Wheeler.
After much debate and consideration of potential locations, Bath, New York was ultimately chosen as the site of the soldiers home, and built with funds raised by the GAR and community. The campus was home to nearly 2,000 disabled veterans at one point in its early years, but after a dwindling veteran resident population, it was acquired by the federal Veterans Administration in 1932.
The museum in building 29A profiles the origins of the New York State Soldiers Home, and educates visitors on the monumental effort to establish the home following the Civil War. It also aims to honor those who served in every conflict since, as well as the medical care they received.
"We're trying to show not just what happens in the war, but how this place was founded, and how health care has changed to meet the veterans' needs in the time since 1879 when they opened," explained VA museum volunteer, Bob Wheeler.
The museum as a whole is such a reflection of the local community, the veterans it served, and wrapping it all together at the VA," said VA museum volunteer, Dave Venezia.
The rooms throughout the museum are dedicated to different times of war - from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and up to more modern times - the Gulf War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The final room has many new additions, thanks to Program Manager, Dawn Smith.
Through her more than 15 years working with Post 9/11 veterans at the Bath VA, she's amassed quite a collection of mementos from veterans' service, or gifts of gratitude. Around the room, she has placed panels of camouflage fabric filled with signatures; each of a veteran who has come through her office. A tapestry of quilted panels is also decorated with patches, and the words 'God Bless America.'
"I started with walls like this, that have their signatures on it, because I wanted them to stay a part of this VA forever, regardless of where their travels may take them, they will always be part of this VA, and an important part of this VA," Smith said as she gestured to the signed panels around the room.
A tall glass case is full of challenge coins, unit patches, photographs, books, a lantern, newspaper articles and more. A nearby wall has artwork created by veterans she's worked with, along with a small frame of several memorial cards from local service members who died; some during war, and some from illness in the years following. Another wall has an Afghanistan flag brought back by a service member. Each item in the showcase is attached a personal memory for Smith, and the veteran who gifted it to her. As she approaches retirement, Smith has made the decision to donate the items to the VA, carrying on the legacy of the veterans who came through her doors.
"It will be hard to leave it behind, but these are some of the strongest and funniest and kindest and hard-headed veterans I've ever met in my life, and they have truly impacted me, and I will carry them forever," Smith said.
She hopes her contributions to the museum will continue to help share the story of those who served, and the care they received at the Bath VA.
"It's not just about combat, it's about service. And I think that hopefully it will bring more people in so they can see that this is our VA. You talk about this is our town, this is our VA. And these items are from our vets, from Elmira, from Bath, from Hornell, from Wellsboro. This are our vets and I think that makes it even more special," said Smith.
The Bath VA Museum is scheduled to be open weekdays from 9AM until 1PM. It is completely volunteer-operated, so prospective visitors are encouraged to call ahead to see if a volunteer is available. Visits can also be made by appointment by calling 607-664-4000 and asking for Voluntary Services.