Shannen Anthony
Meet Shannen Anthony, a Trustee at the Springfield State Hospital: Historical Society. Read on to discover more about her work, mission, and dedication to preserving Springfield’s history.
Shannen's Story
Shannen has had a deep passion for state hospital history since childhood. Born and raised in New England, and with family ties to the mental health field, she grew up surrounded by these institutions and developed a profound appreciation for their history, architecture, and legacy over time.
In 2021, Shannen became the official caretaker of the former Norwich State Hospital property in Connecticut, where she worked alongside a dedicated group of volunteers to preserve the buildings using the resources available to them. Through hands-on preservation efforts, she gained invaluable experience advocating for and caring for historically significant psychiatric institutions.
In 2024, ownership of the Norwich property transferred to the Norwich Community Development Corporation, where various site plans are currently underway. Shannen later became involved with the Springfield State Hospital project after founder Brennan VanderVeer reached out to ask if she would be interested in contributing to its preservation mission.
Shannen and Brennan first met in 2024 when he and several others were invited to visit the Norwich property. The two quickly formed a friendship, united by a shared passion for preserving the history of psychiatric care and the stories of the institutions that shaped it. Shannen is excited to lend her experience, knowledge, and dedication to the Springfield project and to help support its long-term preservation efforts.
