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 who are dealing with serious mental health challenges. This hospital is run by the state of Maine.
It is located at 656 State Street. In the past, it was known by other names. These included the Eastern Maine Insane Asylum and the Bangor Mental Health Institute. The hospital was first started in 1895. Its main building is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What the Hospital Does
The Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center offers different kinds of care. It helps people who stay at the hospital (inpatient care). It also helps those who visit for appointments (outpatient care). This hospital focuses on helping people with the most serious mental illnesses. It serves a large area, covering the eastern two-thirds of Maine.
The center has 51 beds for patients. It helps both people who choose to come for help. It also helps those who are sent there by a court order. The hospital follows rules set by Maine's government. The state's Department of Health and Human Services watches over its work.
A Look at History
Maine's very first hospital for mental health was in Augusta, Maine. It was called the Maine Insane Hospital and opened in 1835. This hospital grew bigger many times. But by 1889, it could not be expanded anymore. So, the state decided to build a second hospital. They chose the spot where the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center is today.
The main part of the hospital 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, called wings, were added later. These were designed by George Coombs, an architect from Bangor. The hospital officially opened its doors between 1899 and 1901.
The hospital kept growing throughout the 1900s. It followed ideas from the Kirkbride Plan. This plan helped design mental hospitals to be better for patients. The main building became a historic landmark in 1987. It is one of the biggest public buildings in Maine.
When it first opened, the hospital was called the Eastern Maine Insane Hospital. In 1913, its name changed to Bangor State Hospital. Later, it became the Bangor Mental Health Institute. In 2005, it was renamed the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. This was to honor Dorothea Dix. She was a very important person in the 1800s. She worked hard to improve how people with mental illness were treated.
The Hospital Campus
The hospital's campus is on the east side of Bangor. It is located between State Street (which is United States Route 2) and Mount Hope Avenue. Saxl Park is on its west side.
Besides the large main building, there are other buildings on the campus. These include the Tuberculosis Center and Hedin Hall. There is also the Pre-Release Center, a maintenance building, and Pooler Pavilion.
See also
