Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bangor Mental Health Institute
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 656 State St. Bangor, Maine |
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| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | John Calvin Stevens |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000420 |
| Added to NRHP | July 16, 1987 |
The Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center is a special hospital in Bangor, Maine. It helps people with mental health challenges. The state of Maine runs this hospital. It used to be called the Eastern Maine Insane Asylum and the Bangor Mental Health Institute. The hospital was started in 1895. Its main building is a very old and important structure. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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What is the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center?
The Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center helps people with serious mental health needs. It offers care both for people staying at the hospital and for those who visit for appointments. The hospital has 51 beds. It serves people in the eastern two-thirds of Maine.
Helping People in Maine
The hospital helps people who choose to come for care. It also helps those who are sent there by a court. The way the hospital works follows rules set by the state of Maine. The state's Department of Health and Human Services manages its operations.
A Look Back: The Hospital's History
Maine's first hospital for mental health was in Augusta, Maine. It was called the Maine Insane Hospital. That hospital opened in 1835. It was made bigger many times over the years. By 1889, it could not be expanded anymore.
How it Started
The state decided to build a second hospital. They chose the location in Bangor. The main part of the campus is a large group of connected buildings. The first building was designed by John Calvin Stevens. He was a famous architect from Portland, Maine. This first building was finished in 1897.
Other parts of the hospital were added later. These wings were designed by George Coombs. They were built between 1899 and 1901. The hospital officially opened its doors then. It continued to grow during the 1900s. It followed a special design plan for mental hospitals. This plan was called the Kirkbride Plan.
Changes Over Time
The main building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It is one of the biggest public buildings in Maine. When it first opened, it was known as the Eastern Maine Insane Hospital. In 1913, its name changed to Bangor State Hospital. Later, it became the Bangor Mental Health Institute.
In 2005, the hospital was renamed again. It is now called the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. This name honors Dorothea Dix. She was an important person in the 1800s. She worked hard to improve how people with mental illness were treated.
Exploring the Campus
The hospital campus is on the east side of Bangor. It is located between State Street and Mount Hope Avenue. Saxl Park is on its west side. Besides the main building, there are other buildings on the campus. These include the Tubercular Center and Hedin Hall. There is also the Pre-Release center and a maintenance building. Pooler Pavilion is another building on the campus.
See also
