Creedmoor Psychiatric Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Creedmoor Psychiatric Center |
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Winchester Boulevard entrance
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| Geography | |
| Location | Queens Village, Queens, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°44′29″N 73°43′54″W / 40.74139°N 73.73167°W |
| Organization | |
| Care system | Medicaid, private |
| Hospital type | Specialist |
| Network | New York State Office of Mental Health |
| Services | |
| Speciality | Psychiatry |
Creedmoor Psychiatric Center is a special hospital in Queens Village, New York. It helps people who need mental health care. The hospital offers different kinds of support, including care for those staying there and those visiting for appointments. It's a very large place, covering over 300 acres and having more than 50 buildings.
The land where the hospital stands was once a farm owned by the Creed family. Later, it was used as a shooting range. In 1912, a part of Brooklyn State Hospital opened here with 32 patients. By 1959, about 7,000 patients were living at Creedmoor. In the 1960s, the number of patients began to decrease. Some unused parts of the land were then turned into the Queens County Farm Museum, a school, and a children's mental health center.
Contents
History of Creedmoor
The Land's Story
The name "Creedmoor" comes from the Creed family, who farmed this land a long time ago. A local train station was also named Creedmoor. This name likely came from "Creed's Moor," which described the area. It reminded visitors from Britain of their own "moorlands."
In the 1870s, the land was used as a firing range. The National Guard and the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) held shooting competitions here. These events were very famous. But by 1892, people lost interest, and neighbors complained about the noise. So, the NRA gave the land back to New York State.
The Hospital's Beginning
In 1912, the Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital opened at Creedmoor. It started with 32 patients. This was part of a plan to move city patients to quieter, open areas. By 1918, Creedmoor had 150 patients. They lived in old National Guard buildings.
By 1959, the hospital had grown a lot, caring for 7,000 patients. In the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Lauretta Bender, a child neuropsychiatrist, worked there.
Changes Over Time
In the early 1960s, the number of patients at Creedmoor started to go down. This happened because new medicines were developed. Also, there was a movement to help more patients live in their communities.
In 1975, some of the hospital's land was opened to the public. This became the Queens County Farm Museum. Another part of the campus became the Queens Children's Psychiatric Center. In 2004, more of the land was used to build a public school campus. This included The Queens High School of Teaching. By 2006, the hospital had fewer patients, and other parts of the campus were sold.
Special Programs
Creedmoor is home to The Living Museum. This is a special place that shows art created by the patients themselves. It was the first museum of its kind in the United States. It helps patients express themselves through art.
People Connected to Creedmoor
Patients Who Received Care
- Paul Abraham (1892–1960), a famous composer.
- Joseph Baldi (1941–2009), who received mental health treatment.
- "Simone D.", a patient who won an important court case.
- Peter Grudzien (1941–2013), a country musician.
- Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), a well-known folk musician.
- George Metesky (1903–1994), who was committed for a period.
- Mary Ellen O'Brien (1888–1964), mother of painter Elaine de Kooning.
- Bud Powell (1924–1966), a jazz musician.
- Robert Tornsey (1945–2009), a police officer.
Staff Members
- Peter Orlovsky (1933–2010), an actor who worked as an orderly.
- Arthur M. Sackler (1913–1987), a psychiatrist and director of research.
Other Notable People
- Joshua Bloch (1890–1957), a rabbi who was a chaplain for the hospital.
- Grace Marilynn James (1923–1989), a pediatrician who studied child psychology here.
