Looms in the OT Shop, LA County Poor Farm

The Occupational Therapy (OT) profession dates to 1917. Los Angeles County hired its first Occupational Therapist in 1926 to help the “inmates” living at the LA County Poor Farm be productive despite whatever circumstances they faced. OT classes in the OT Shop included the weaving of items such as blankets, which were sold to the public to help sustain the Farm.

The handicraft of weaving continued after the Poor Farm transitioned to the Rancho Los Amigos Hospital as occupational therapists used it as a therapeutic means to help patients recover from illness and injury.

The OT looms eventually and inexplicably faded from use and memory over time. During the recent renovations to Rancho’s campus, we were delighted to discover some looms tucked away in the basement storage room! Rancho OT staff embraced the task of lovingly cleaning and restoring the looms, with advice from a historian, to eventually be proudly showcased in the Rancho Los Amigos Museum and OT treatment areas.

This was an amazing experience, gently brushing and washing away decades of dust and dirt while musing about all the people who had handled these looms as they healed countless bodies and minds over the years. We could feel the powerful connection to our OT forebearers from a century before us, weaving the past into the present, as OTs continue to help individuals, groups, and communities participate in meaningful life activities (occupations).

Special thanks to everyone involved in this labor of love: Ana, Brenda, Dana, Danielle, Hana, Hannah, Heidi, Honor, Jacqueline, Jenny, Julianne, Leila, Luini, Michal, Michelle, Monica, Raquel, Rochessa, and our friends from Facilities Management!

For more information, contact Michele Berro at mberro@dhs.lacounty.gov