Carville Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Carville Historic District
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5445 Point Clair Road, Carville, Louisiana |
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| Area | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Built | 1859, 1939-1941 |
| Architect | Neill P. Thompson; Henry Howard |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001529 |
| Added to NRHP | November 18, 1992 |
The Carville Historic District in Carville, Louisiana, is a special 60-acre (24 ha) historical area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 1992. This site was once a famous hospital for people with leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. It had different names over the years, like the National Leprosarium and the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center.
In 1992, the district included 24 important buildings and two structures that tell its story. Most of these were built between 1939 and 1941 by architect Neill P. Thompson. Today, the district is home to the National Hansen's Disease Museum, which teaches visitors about the hospital's history.
Contents
History of Carville
From Sugar Plantation to Hospital
The land where the Carville Historic District stands was first a large sugar plantation. The main house, called the Indian Camp Plantation House, was built in 1859 for a sugar planter named Robert C. Camp.
A Place of Refuge
In 1894, this abandoned sugar plantation became the Louisiana Leper Home. It was one of only two hospitals in the United States for people with leprosy. In the early days, there was no good medicine for leprosy. Patients often had to stay at the hospital under mandatory quarantine, meaning they couldn't leave. Many never returned home.
The "Home" started with just five men and two women. It became known as "a place of refuge, not reproach." This meant it offered hope and a safe place for people with Hansen's disease. Over time, it grew into a world-class hospital. Hundreds of staff and patients, including families, lived and worked there.
Becoming a National Center
In 1921, the United States Public Health Service took over the hospital. It was renamed U.S. Marine Hospital Number 66 and became the official National Leprosarium of the United States.
A patient named Stanley Stein, known as "Carville's Crusader," started a small newsletter in 1931. This newsletter grew into The STAR, a famous newspaper that is still published today. It shared news and stories from the patient community.
When many U.S. Public Health Service hospitals closed in 1981, Carville was the only one that stayed open. This was thanks to United States Congressman Gillis W. Long. He worked hard to keep Carville open for patients who wanted to remain there. Even though mandatory quarantine had ended, many patients considered Carville their home. In 1986, the hospital was renamed the Gillis W. Long Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Center in his honor.
The Carville Historic District was officially recognized in 1992. In 1996, the National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Museum opened to preserve the hospital's history.
The Hospital Closes
In 1999, the U.S. Congress decided to move the medical programs to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The National Hansen's Disease Programs continues its care and research there today.
After the hospital moved, the Federal Government gave the site back to the State of Louisiana. Now, the Louisiana National Guard uses part of the site as a school for young people. Other military and government groups also use the property. A few elderly residents who chose to stay continued to live on the grounds until 2015.
Today, some of the old buildings need a lot of repair and care to keep their history alive.
National Hansen's Disease Museum
| Established | 1996 |
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| Location | 5445 Point Clair Rd Carville, Louisiana 70721 |
The National Hansen’s Disease Museum tells the story of the Carville facility. It shows how the United States Public Health Service and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul cared for the patients.
The museum has exhibits that include a recreated patient's room from the 1940s. You can learn about the daily lives of the residents and the challenges they faced. It also provides information about Hansen's disease and how treatments have improved over time.
After Hurricane Katrina, many National Guard troops and public health workers stayed at Carville. The museum collected their stories and photos of their relief efforts.
The museum also keeps important historical records. These include photos and documents from the Daughters of Charity who worked as nurses and teachers. It also has copies of The 66 Star and The STAR newspapers, which were written by patients. Other newsletters like The Question Mark (for students) and The Point Clarion (for employees) are also part of the collection.
Buildings of the Historic District
The most important building in the Carville Historic District is the Indian Camp Plantation House. This is the original main house from the old sugar plantation. It was designed in 1859 by architect Henry Howard. It's a beautiful, old mansion with a unique style that mixes Greek Revival and Italianate designs. It has tall columns and interesting details on its walls and balconies.
Other Important Buildings
The historic district has 26 buildings and structures that are important to its history. They were built between 1859 and 1941. Here are some of them:
- Buildings from 1939-1941:
- North and South Quadrangles: These were patient living areas. 30°11′59″N 91°07′34″W / 30.19985°N 91.1262°W and 30°11′54″N 91°07′28″W / 30.19821°N 91.12442°W
- Laundry: 30°11′52″N 91°07′32″W / 30.19784°N 91.12564°W
- Sisters of Charity Quarters: Where the caring nuns lived. 30°11′47″N 91°07′32″W / 30.19632°N 91.12559°W
- Medical Records Building: 30°11′48″N 91°07′34″W / 30.19658°N 91.12611°W
- Old Dining Hall/Cafeteria: Built in 1923. 30°11′56″N 91°07′31″W / 30.19895°N 91.12537°W
- Infirmary: Built in 1934. 30°11′55″N 91°07′34″W / 30.1985°N 91.12598°W
- Protestant Chapel: Built in 1934. 30°11′48″N 91°07′29″W / 30.19662°N 91.12477°W
- Catholic Chapel: Built in 1924. 30°11′49″N 91°07′31″W / 30.19707°N 91.12519°W
- Isolation Building: Built in 1936. 30°11′57″N 91°07′37″W / 30.19904°N 91.12705°W
- Power Plant: Built in 1924. 30°11′52″N 91°07′31″W / 30.19785°N 91.12526°W
- Water Treatment Facility: 30°11′50″N 91°07′35″W / 30.19722°N 91.12636°W
- Greenhouse: 30°11′50″N 91°07′30″W / 30.19721°N 91.12502°W
- Greenhouse/Supply House: 30°11′46″N 91°07′34″W / 30.19617°N 91.1261°W
- Indian Camp Plantation House: Built in 1859. 30°11′45″N 91°07′33″W / 30.19596°N 91.12587°W
- Gatehouse: 30°11′44″N 91°07′34″W / 30.19557°N 91.12607°W
- Training Building: 30°11′48″N 91°07′42″W / 30.19659°N 91.12827°W
- Unstyled Building #1: 30°11′50″N 91°07′38″W / 30.19714°N 91.12735°W
- Unstyled Building #2: 30°11′51″N 91°07′33″W / 30.19752°N 91.12589°W
- Staff Quarters: Ten buildings for staff, built between the 1920s and 1930s.
- Staff Quarters #1: 30°11′44″N 91°07′36″W / 30.19545°N 91.12671°W
- Staff Quarters #2: 30°11′42″N 91°07′38″W / 30.19511°N 91.12721°W
- Staff Quarters #3: 30°11′41″N 91°07′40″W / 30.19479°N 91.1277°W
- Staff Quarters #4: 30°11′40″N 91°07′41″W / 30.19447°N 91.12818°W
- Staff Quarters #5: 30°11′39″N 91°07′43″W / 30.19414°N 91.12865°W
- Staff Quarters #6: 30°11′47″N 91°07′38″W / 30.19626°N 91.12735°W
- Staff Quarters #7: 30°11′45″N 91°07′40″W / 30.1959°N 91.12789°W
- Staff Quarters #8: 30°11′44″N 91°07′42″W / 30.19557°N 91.12839°W
- Staff Quarters #9: 30°11′43″N 91°07′44″W / 30.19523°N 91.12889°W
- Staff Quarters #10: 30°11′42″N 91°07′45″W / 30.195°N 91.12923°W
- Garage: Built between the 1920s and 1930s. 30°11′40″N 91°07′43″W / 30.19458°N 91.12875°W
