Connecticut Valley Hospital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Connecticut Valley Hospital
State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Shew Hall, first building of the hospital constructed in 1867
Geography
Location	Middletown, Connecticut, United States
Organization
Hospital type	Specialist
Services
Speciality	Psychiatric hospital

The Connecticut Valley Hospital is a special hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. It's run by the state of Connecticut and helps people who need care for their mental illness. Long ago, it was called the Connecticut General Hospital for the Insane. It's a big area, about 100 acres, and is considered a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 because of its old and interesting buildings. Many of these buildings show off cool styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

A Look Back: Hospital History

When Did the Hospital Start?

The Connecticut Hospital for the Insane first opened its doors in Middletown in 1868. Two years before that, the city of Middletown gave the land to the state. This was so they could build a place to help people in Connecticut who needed mental health care. By 1896, the hospital had grown a lot. It had four main groups of buildings and was one of the biggest hospitals of its kind in the country.

What is it Like Today?

The hospital is still used today to help people with mental health needs. It's run by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Some of the older buildings on the campus might be taken down in the future.

Exploring the Hospital Grounds

Where is the Hospital Located?

Connecticut Valley Hospital is in the South Farms area of Middletown. It has many buildings, both old and new. The hospital sits on top of a hill, with pretty lawns and big shade trees. From here, you can see great views of the city. Silver Street and Bow Lane go through the property.

How Big is the Hospital?

The hospital has about eighty buildings. It also includes about 650 acres of land south and east of the main area. Many of the buildings are large and made of brick and brownstone. There are also houses made of wood and brick, and buildings for maintenance. Most of these buildings are grouped around Shew Hall. This main part of the hospital covers about 200 acres. It has many unique buildings that show how the hospital has changed over time.

Important Buildings at the Hospital

Shew Hall: The First Building

Shew Hall was the very first building at the hospital, built in 1867. It's still used today for the hospital's main offices. This large building is named after Dr. Abram M. Shew, who was the hospital's first leader. It was designed in a style called Second Empire. In 1939, the building was updated inside, and a flat roof was added to the main part. The three large wings of the building still show off the original style with their sloped roofs.

Stanley Hall: A Former Facility

Stanley Hall was built around 1879, also in the Second Empire style. In the past, it was used for patients who needed special care. Stanley Hall was taken down sometime after 1999.

Woodward Hall: A Queen Anne Style Building

Woodward Hall was built around 1886 in the Queen Anne style. It had an interesting shape with many parts sticking out. The building had many roofs, chimneys, wide towers, and large dormer windows. The inside of the building has been updated. Part of the Queen Anne section of Woodward Hall was torn down in 2007. There are plans to create a garden where it once stood. The newer part of Woodward Hall, built in the early 1900s, is still standing and helps care for older patients.

Weeks Hall: Another Historic Structure

Weeks Hall was built in 1896. It also had the Queen Anne style, with some features from the Jacobethan Revival style. It looked similar to Woodward Hall, with steep roofs and pretty flower designs made of terra cotta. Parts of Weeks Hall collapsed in the 2000s, and the building sadly burned down on September 21, 2010.

Smith Home: Housing for Staff

Smith Home was built around 1909 in the Colonial Revival style. It has a unique roof with a slender tower. The main entrance has decorative columns and a large fan design above the door. This building used to house hospital employees, but it is currently empty.

Other Notable Buildings

There are other important old buildings on the hospital grounds. The police station, which looks like a charming cottage, was built in 1895. Shepherd Home and Russell Hall are two similar buildings from the 1920s. They have large, fancy porches with classical designs. There are also several small houses built in the late 1800s that were homes for the staff. Smith Home and Shepard Home once provided housing for nursing staff. Russell Hall was once used as the hospital's on-campus medical facility.

These buildings show the long history of how people with mental illness have been cared for in Connecticut. They represent different times in the hospital's past and add to the interesting mix of architecture in Middletown.

The Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol Wing Headquarters (NER-CT-001) is located in Beers Hall.

See also

• Connecticut Valley Hospital Cemetery
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Middletown, Connecticut