Northampton State Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Northampton State Hospital
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Hospital grounds in 2007
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Northampton, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | Preston, Jonathan; Robb, Gordon |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian, Mid 19th Century Revival |
| MPS | Massachusetts State Hospitals And State Schools MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000696 |
| Added to NRHP | July 25, 1994 |
The Northampton State Hospital was a very old hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was built in 1856 on a place called Hospital Hill. This hospital helped people with mental health issues for many years. It closed in 1993. The main building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 because of its history.
Contents
Building a Hospital for Care
Construction of the Northampton State Hospital began on March 15, 1856. It was the third state hospital for people with mental health conditions in Massachusetts. The hospital was built on Hospital Hill, just outside Northampton.
It was first known as the Northampton Lunatic Asylum. On July 4, 1856, a special ceremony took place. A time capsule was placed inside the building's cornerstone. This capsule was meant to stay hidden for 150 years.
Early Days and Growth
The hospital opened its doors to the first patients on August 16, 1858. Within six weeks, 220 patients were living there. Most of them came from other hospitals that were too full. The hospital was designed for 200 patients, but this number quickly grew.
Soon, the hospital needed to expand. New buildings were added to help care for more patients. The original main building, called Old Main, changed a lot over time. It grew bigger to fit everyone.
New Leadership and Programs
In 1864, Dr. Pliny Earle became the new superintendent. He started a program where patients could work on the hospital farm. This was called work therapy. He also built a greenhouse and other helpful buildings.
When Dr. Earle retired in 1885, the hospital had 476 patients. He was given an apartment there as a thank you for his 21 years of service.
Changes and Expansion
In the early 1900s, the hospital's name changed. First, it was called Northampton Insane Hospital. Then, it became Northampton State Hospital. Under superintendent John A. Houston, more buildings were added. Large infirmary wards were built in 1902 and 1903.
By 1907, the hospital had 726 patients. That same year, a book called “A Mind That Found Itself” was published. It was written by Clifford W. Beers, a former patient. He wrote that no one truly knew how to cure mental illness.
A Big New Complex
In 1925, work began on the biggest expansion: Memorial Complex. This new area was separate from the original Old Main building. It became the main part of the hospital.
The Memorial Complex was designed for 1000 patients. By 1935, the hospital's population grew to more than 2,100 patients. Some patients were moved to other hospitals. More small buildings were also built around Old Main.
Modern Medicine and Changes
The hospital kept growing even after almost 100 years of building. In 1952, a new medicine called Thorazine was introduced. It was the first medicine to help with certain mental health conditions. That year, 2,331 patients were cared for by 509 staff members.
A new building, the Haskell building, was added in 1959. Today, it is still used as an office for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Closing the Hospital
In 1978, a court decision said that patients had a right to treatment in the least restrictive way possible. This meant the hospital needed to reduce its patient numbers. The goal was to have only 50 patients by 1981, but it took much longer.
By 1980, the hospital had admitted 64,500 patients over its history. At the same time, it was trying to reduce its current patient population. Patients were moved to smaller places or sent home. This caused a lot of discussion in Northampton.
Old Main, the original building, was left empty in 1986. The Memorial Complex kept operating until 1993. That year, the last 12 patients were moved, and Northampton State Hospital officially closed.
What Happened Next?
After the hospital closed, people started talking about what to do with the buildings. Some community members wanted to save Old Main. They formed a group called Save Old Main. They gave tours and talked about the hospital's history. They believed the building should be kept because it was important to Northampton's past.
However, some people thought the empty buildings should be used to help people without homes. In 1996, some young activists were arrested for trying to use one of the buildings as housing. They wanted the building to be a temporary home for people in need.
Despite efforts to save the buildings, city leaders decided to tear them down. Old Main was demolished in 2006. By the next summer, the Memorial Complex was also gone. In 2007, the city made a plan for the land. New homes and businesses were built there, starting in 2008. This new area is called Village Hill.
Remembering the Hospital
People have made efforts to remember the Northampton State Hospital and its history.
Memorial Events
In November 2000, special events called "The State Hospital: In Memoriam" took place. These events included talks by experts and a chance for former patients to share their stories. There were also art shows. The goal was to remember the hospital's past.
One event was a sound installation at the site of the Old Main building. Bells from nearby churches rang together. Then, music played from speakers inside the empty building. This was a way to honor the hospital's history.
A Bench for Remembrance
On October 21, 2017, a new bench was placed to remember the Northampton State Hospital Burial Ground. This bench overlooks Cemetery Hill. The hospital used this area as a burial ground until the 1920s.
There are 181 confirmed burials of patients in unmarked graves at this site. The new bench helps people remember those who were buried there. It is also part of a plan for a walking tour of the former hospital grounds.
