Medfield State Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Medfield State Hospital
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Former AIT Building at Medfield.
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Medfield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Wentworth, William Pitt; Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Beaux Arts |
| MPS | Massachusetts State Hospitals And State Schools MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001481 |
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 1994 |
The Medfield State Hospital was once a large hospital complex in Medfield, Massachusetts. It was originally called the Medfield Insane Asylum when it opened in 1892. This hospital was the first place in Massachusetts built specifically to help people with long-term mental health needs.
The hospital campus was designed to look like a college. William Pitt Wentworth created the plans. It was built between 1896 and 1914. Unlike older hospitals that used the "Kirkbride Plan," Medfield was one of the first to use the "Cottage Plan" layout. This meant patients lived in smaller, separate buildings, like cottages. In 1914, its name officially changed to Medfield State Hospital.
Contents
History of Medfield State Hospital
Early Beginnings
The Medfield State Hospital started in 1892. Its first name was the Medfield Insane Asylum. It was the first hospital in Massachusetts for people with long-term mental health conditions. The idea was to create a more helpful environment.
The hospital's design was very important. It moved away from older styles. Instead of one big building, it used a "Cottage Plan." This plan had many smaller buildings. It aimed to make patients feel more comfortable.
Growing the Campus
At its busiest, the hospital had 58 buildings. It covered a huge area of about 3.6 square kilometers (about 1.4 square miles). It could care for up to 2,200 patients at one time.
The hospital was almost like its own small town. It grew its own food and raised animals. It also made its own heat, light, and power. This made it very self-sufficient. The hospital was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
What is it Like Today?
The Medfield State Hospital closed its doors in April 2003. All the buildings were then shut down. However, the large grounds around the hospital are now open to the public. You can visit them from sunrise to sunset every day.
Filming Location
Even though the hospital is closed, it has become famous. It has been used as a place to film movies. Some thriller and horror films shot scenes here. These include The New Mutants, Shutter Island, and The Box.
The Hospital Cemetery
On the hospital grounds, there is also a cemetery. It is called the Medfield State Hospital Cemetery. There are 841 graves there. This cemetery was used from 1918 until 1988. For a long time, only numbers marked the graves. But a Boy Scout from Troop 89 helped change that. For his Eagle Scout project, he found the names and dates for everyone buried there.
Recent Changes
Some parts of the old hospital have been taken down. In July 2012, the Clark Building was demolished. More buildings were taken down starting in October 2013. These included the Odyssey House, the Carriage House, and the Laundry Building.
Today, the Medfield Police patrol the area. It is very important to follow the rules. Trespassing is not allowed after dark and before sunrise.
