I’ve started this petition to show the Floyd County Council and County Commissioner that the building that once was The Floyd County Poor Asylum has support behind being saved and restored. The commissioner has referred to it as an eye sore and would desire to have it torn down. The building has been left to decompose while being owned by county. It being an eye sore falls on the county’s negligence towards this historic landmark. As of right now, it seems whether they sell the property or partner with an entity, their goal is financial return. My proposed plan for this building would be to restore it. Restoring it would present opportunities such as historical tours, renting out at night to people interested in paranormal activities, and/or possibly be a venue to rent for use. The people who lived and died here never had a voice in life or death. They were buried in unmarked graves in the Potters field. It’s past due that they receive recognition and be given that voice. The residents of the poor asylum created the lake that is behind the property the county built their park around. Lucy Higgs Nichols, who was the first black women to receive pension from the government after serving as a nurse on the union side, was eventually a resident and passed here. She escaped slavery with her 5 year old daughter who unfortunately did not make it. Being the great-granddaughter of someone who passed away at Waverly Hills Sanitarium, I’m very passionate about preserving history and giving people their voices and recognition. If enough funding and private investors are able to be secured for this project it has the potential to bring in revenue the county desires along with tourism related revenue. Please help me restore this piece of history that serves to still teach lessons relevant to today’s issues with poverty and mental health. If this system was still in place a lot of us may have ended up here ourselves. As the philosopher  George Santayana stated “ Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Thank you for taking the time to read this petition and I hope you find it compelling enough to sign and help myself and the preservation committee save this landmark. 

Update- it’s been a year since I started this petition. Someone reached out to me who had a finical backer and wanted to purchase. Instead the commissioners have drug their feet and kept everyone in limbo just waiting. This started towards the end of summer last year. There was suppose to be a meeting in spring that never happened. I image they are more worried about trying to secure votes for the election this year. However with them making many decisions that impacted and angered local citizens they have made this their top priority. Not realizing this may also affect peoples votes. I’m still holding on to hope. I have a possible ancestor buried here unmarked. Trying to find documents to prove lineage. Not that I know if it will make a difference. I’ll hold out hope until the last brick falls. Historic buildings every where are being demolished. History being destroyed and forgotten. Let’s please prevent this from happening here.