Danvers state hospital by katherine anderson and robert duffy. The danvers state hospital had been a mysterious place for many years, even after its demolition in 2006. The complete history and architecture of the danvers state hospital, danvers state insane asylum, the state lunatic hospital at danvers, danvers insane. History of danvers state hospital history of massachusetts. Danvers state hospital was one of many hospitals built in massachusetts during the industrial revolution danvers state hospital was a psychiatric hospital built in 1874 on hathorne hill, where the salem witch trials judge john hathorne once lived the hill is a 257feethigh glacial drumlin located in danvers, which was originally known as salem village until its official name change in 1752. Danvers state hospital arcadia publishing history books. In 1873, the need for another psychiatric hospital to serve the boston population had risen once again.
The decline of danvers state hospital mad in america. History page 2 danvers state hospital danvers state insane. History danvers state hospital danvers state insane asylum. The death of sarah eustace in danvers state hospital. Galleries danvers state hospital danvers state insane asylum. A history of danvers state hospital by michael ramseur, is a chilling look at a recent past history that some would rather forget. See more ideas about psychiatric hospital, asylum and abandoned asylums. Danvers state hospital was one of many hospitals built in. Bradlee, it is an implementation of the nationally recognized kirkbride plan. When viewing images or reading about the former danvers state hospital, we tend to overlook the most important piece in its history and architectural beauty. If you dont feel like clicking that link, dont worry.
I can honestly say ive been everywhere that you could possibly go in that hospital. Jul 14, 2019 the buffalo state hospital, also known as the buffalo state asylum for the insane, h. Danvers state hospital ghosts, ma haunted rooms america. I have no illusions that avalonbays creations will stand the test of time as did the kirkbride. Asylum based on danvers state hospital minecraft map. Videos danvers state hospital, danvers state insane asylum. See more ideas about insane asylum, abandoned asylums and psychiatric hospital. Oct 16, 20 danvers state insane asylum and session 9 by patrick keller yesterday i watched session 9 from my list of movies i plan on checking out this fall, a movie filmed on location at the danvers state hospital insane asylum in danvers, massachusetts. Mar, 2017 old massachusetts hospital records and patient files old hospital medical records or patient files are a common request we receive at the state library, usually from patrons who are researching their family history. Memorial danvers state hospital danvers state insane asylum. Also also known as the state lunatic hospital at danvers, the danvers lunatic asylum, and the danvers state insane asylum, this former insane asylum is now only a shell of its former self, but that simply adds to this already intimidating building, which was one the most notorious of insane asylums in america of the same period. Danvers state insane asylum located in massachusetts, danvers state insane asylum is old enough to have been commonly known as the state lunatic hospital. The danvers state hospital was one of the most notorious institutions in massachusetts history. I worked here in the but in the when i was in nursing school we would go off and.
Ominous, imposing and mysterious all of these words could be used to describe the castlelike structure that was danvers mental institution. Here it is the story of danvers state hospital from start to finish. This is a video done on the danvers state insane asylum laboratory papers. Nicknamed the witches castle on the hill hawthorne hill. The book provides details about the facilitys dark past and the melancholy lives of her inhabitants. Hundreds of patients, whose families didnt claim their bodies, are buried there. Danvers state hospital danvers state insane asylum dsh. History and photos of the abandoned danvers state hospital, in danvers, ma. Danvers state hospital formerly danvers state lunatic asylum was a kirkbridestyle psychiatric hospital built in 1874 on what was then an isolated site in rural massachusetts. Danvers state gives an insiders view of what really went on at the state run insane asylum. I was in the tunnels, sub tunnels, wards, the turrets, and even inside the water tower.
I think almost everyone is terrified of insane asylums. Danvers state hospital danvers, massachusetts atlas. Abandoned asylums takes readers on an unrestricted visual journey inside north americas abandoned insane asylums and psychiatric facilities. Old massachusetts hospital records and patient files. The abandoned danvers state hospital listed on the. Infamous, haunting, beautiful, a memory snuck in myself in 2003 he he he. Nov 18, 2018 the danvers state hospital also known as the danvers lunatic asylum, the danvers state insane asylum, and the state lunatic hospital at danvers is located in danvers, massachusetts. It brings to light the harsh treatment of mental illness in decades past.
Doctor eugene charles, head of the asylum and manager of its inner workings, has seen his share of insanity in the eyes of every patient residing behind the walls of his asylum, but the newest addition to his facility will redefine the meaning of true insanity, once and for all. It wasnt the firstbuilt kirkbride building it began construction in 1874, however, it is known as the most famous, or more accurately infamous, of them all. Lovecrafts horror stories and batmans arkham asylum is now a condominium complex. Read more marie balter beyond mental illness danvers state hospital. Jun 08, 2008 avalon danvers apartments nee danvers state hospital june 8, 2008 once it was a place where lobotomized maniacs shuffled in white slippers down neverending corridors, the criminally insane drew caricatures of old victims on the walls with crayon stubs, and trembling lunatics gibbered alien syllables into slobberdrenched pillow cases. Danvers state hospital abandoned, used in session 9, then. The complete history and architecture of the danvers state hospital, danvers state insane asylum, the state lunatic hospital at danvers, danvers insane hospital including nathaniel j. Danvers state insane asylum in massachusetts luxury. Danvers state hospital, originally known as the state lunatic hospital at danvers, is significant in both architectural and social history. Aug 14, 2016 built in 1874 it was originally called the danvers state lunatic asylum and later the danvers insane asylum. This insane asylum in massachusetts has a dark and evil history that will never be forgotten. Perched high on the top of hathorne hill in what was once the village of salem, danvers state insane asylum was, for more than a century, a monument to modern psychiatry and the myriad advances in mental health treatment. Danvers state hospital hauntings ghostly activities. This is the hospital in depraved heart where rachel visits her mother and is also in my current wip, ghost of a dancer by moonlight.
The danvers lunatic asylum was very expansive and over the years all the. The hospital was a mental health facility built in the year 1874 that consisted of seventeen buildings used to house male and female patients, some of whom were suffering from extreme mental health conditions. Photographer captures haunting images of sights inside the. It also serviced metropolitan state hospital 1930s and the fernald school in waltham as well as danvers state hospital. Photographer captures haunting images of the broken windows, rusted chairs and strange sights inside the abandoned asylums of america. The asylum resides in the town of danvers, massachusetts which many people are unaware was formerly known as salem village. On september 25, 2002 i was invited to attend a private ceremony with john archer and the danvers state memorial committee. The following fifteen minute video was created by inside story and andrea hall on the closing of the hospital.
Danvers state lunatic asylum was constructed in 1878, costing a mere 1. The immediate crisis which precipitated the building of a mental hospital north of boston was the imminence in the early 1870s of the closing of the facility at south boston. If you grew up in northeastern massachusetts you are probably familiar with danvers state hospital which was located in danvers, mass. Apr 1, 2019 danvers state hospital was a psychiatric hospital, originally known as the state lunatic. The danvers state hospital is largely believed to have served as inspiration for the infamous arkham sanatorium from h. Danvers state hospital danvers, massachusetts atlas obscura. Many of the most famous mental institutions have sordid histories, with famous patients, terrifying ghosts, and scads of abuse. Demolition danvers state hospital danvers state insane asylum. Rusted passage photo of the abandoned danvers state hospital its pilgrim state hospital. The laundry is a large, utilitarian, onestory brick building. The sprawling kirkbride measured in at 3,000 square feet and was nearly 2,000 feet in length. From numbers to names state hospital cemetery restoration film. Six abandoned asylums with genuinely chilling backstories io9.
Interior of abandoned insane asylum, danvers state hospital. The danvers state hospital came into being during the period when. Apr 27, 2010 since there were no good videos about this beautiful and forgotten building, now unfortunately demolished, i decided to make one, in order to keep the memory alive, taking some pictures from. Danvers state hospital wikimili, the free encyclopedia. This book brings to the forefront images that should not be forgotten, but learned from and studied.
Dinah williams book abandoned insane asylums references a tale of an accidental poisoning. Richardson complex, buffalo state lunatic asylum, and buffalo psychiatric center, was built in 1871 with two medievalstyle towers under the name buffalo state asylum. One of the facilities now demolished is the danvers state insane asylum located in danvers, massachusetts, home of the widely known salem witch trials in 1692. Americas most haunted locations danvers state hospital. Bradlee designed danvers as far back as 1866 which was based on his unbuilt 1867 plan for an insane asylum in winthrop. The tunnels under danvers state mental hospital in danvers, massachusetts. Bradlee, it is a handsome and intact implementation of the nationally recognized kirkbride plan. The danvers state hospital, also known as the state lunatic hospital at danvers, the danvers lunatic asylum, and the danvers state insane asylum, was a. Apr 17, 2016 donned the witches castle on the hill.
Also known as danvers state insane asylum, danvers state lunatic asylum, dsh a day room inside danvers state hospital, date unknown star ledger, photos by tom kirsch opacity. Bradlee, superintendents, image galleries, time lines, videos historic. The athens lunatic asylum, now a mixeduse development known as the ridges, was a kirkbride plan mental hospital operated in athens, ohio from 1874 until 1993. Avalon danvers apartments nee danvers state hospital. Lovecrafts arkham, in turn, is the inspiration for arkham asylum, a psychiatric hospital within the batman universe.
Welcome to danvers state insane asylum, home to some of the most demented men and women in the country. Bradlee, superintendents, image galleries, time lines, videos historic images maps, floor plans, patient artwork, records, files. In addition to visiting patients, they brought contributions of books, magazines. A site called hawthorne hill also known as hathorne hill in danvers was chosen for the new hospital. It is known as the birthplace of one the most controversial and troubled procedures in medical history. Topographical sketch of the grounds of the state insane asylum in danvers mass, circa 1875. Archives also have record collections for bostonarea hospitals, including those for long island hospital and the boston lunatic hospital.
Also known as danvers state insane asylum, danvers state. This is how it looked before it was redeveloped into condos. When i was a kid it was synonymous with insane asylum. Known under several different names such as state lunatic hospital at danvers, the danvers state insane asylum or the danvers lunatic asylum and built almost at the end of the 19 th century in 1874, the danvers state hospital served the town of danvers for over one hundred years it was built under the watchful eye of the remarkable boston architect nathaniel jeremiah bradlee. Jun 24, 2016 this insane asylum in massachusetts has a dark and evil history that will never be forgotten. Bradlees plan for danvers state hospital was based on his unbuilt 1867 scheme for an insane asylum at winthrop. I actually worked in one of the adjacent buildings in 1988. Interview danvers state hospital danvers state insane asyl. Nov 8, 2016 the state lunatic hospital at danvers built in 1874 and opened in 1878 on an isolated site in rural massachusetts. Danvers state insane asylum in massachusetts luxury living. The state lunatic hospital at danvers was erected, under the supervision of prominent boston architect nathaniel j bradlee, in an extremely rural, outoftheway location. Bradlee danvers state hospital danvers state insane.
Most of the buildings on campus were connected by a confusing labyrinth of underground tunnels. Sep 19, 2012 danvers state hospital was one of many hospitals built in massachusetts during the industrial revolution danvers state hospital was a psychiatric hospital built in 1874 on hathorne hill, where the salem witch trials judge john hathorne once lived. American horror story set its second and best season within the walls of a 60s asylum. A logical choice of the danvers commissioners in december 1873, he prepared for this project by researching hospitals at worcester, ma, poughkeepsie, ny, concord, nh, philadelphia, trenton, and one under construction at morristown, nj. In 100 or 500 years, when future historians shake their heads over this tragic mistake, let it be remembered that there were those who had a vision of preservation and reuse of the danvers state hospital. Avalon danvers apartments nee danvers state hospital june 8, 2008 once it was a place where lobotomized maniacs shuffled in white slippers down neverending corridors, the criminally insane drew caricatures of old victims on the walls with crayon stubs, and trembling lunatics gibbered alien syllables into slobberdrenched pillow cases. See more ideas about abandoned asylums, insane asylum and abandoned hospital. During its operation, the hospital provided services to a variety of patients including civil war veterans, children, and those declared mentally unwell. Some of the campus tunnels, the cemetery, and facades of a couple of the other buildings remain, but the modern ruins version of danvers state now exists only in photographs and videos.
Thomas story kirkbride, a physician and mental health. A few months ago, i wrote about my visit to avalon danvers apartments, the current karmic incarnation of what was once danvers insane asylum, in danvers, ma. They terrify us, but we cant seem to get enough of the mysteries surrounding them. There is one place still open for the public, the danvers state hospital cemetery, located down hawthorne hill from the administration building. It not only inspired a movie called session 9, but is well known for its hairraising haunted stories. Memoirs of a nurse in the asylum barbara stilwell on. Plan your road trip to danvers state hospital in ma with roadtrippers. Jun 24, 2011 welcome to danvers state insane asylum, home to some of the most demented men and women in the country. Like all kirkbride asylums, it was famous for its gothic architecture and its use of now outdated medical techniques to treat insanity. It was held on the highlands portion of the property located to the left of the gray gables. After a period of disuse the property was redeveloped by the state of ohio.
From the time it opened its doors in 1878 until they were shuttered for good in 1992, the asylum represented decades of. The book mentions a figure in of up to 2,600 in the 1940s and 1950s. Dec 23, 2008 did the walls cause more than madness at danvers. Click on my other videos in the video response section down below. The danvers state hospital, also known as the state lunatic hospital at danvers, the danvers lunatic asylum, and the danvers state insane asylum, was a psychiatric hospital located in danvers, massachusetts. Beyond mental illness film, marie rose barbara balter, of danvers, coauthor of the awardwinning autobiography, nobodys child, danvers state hospital. As for the official name of state lunatic asylum at danvers, the globe article mentions the name. History page 2 danvers state hospital danvers state. She said we could either go to the beach, or we could visit the cemetery of an abandoned insane asylum. Danvers insane asylum danvers, massachusetts local. Im sure ill be linking to the same article like crazy throughout this piece. Danvers state hospital, originally known as the state lunatic hospital at danvers, was significant in both architectural and social history. Oct 31, 2017 a favorite location of modern horror movies and television shows, insane asylums have captured our imaginations for ages.
Danvers state hospital is a historic site in danvers. It was built in 1874, and opened in 1878, under the supervision of prominent boston architect nathaniel jeremiah bradlee, on an isolated site in rural massachusetts. Medfield state hospital was founded in 1892, and for over 100 years served as a selfsustaining institution and community for thousands of mentally ill patients until closing its doors in 2003. The exterior even appears in the asylum level of the. Discover danvers state hospital in danvers, massachusetts. Think of all the horror movies that have taken place in one. The following hour and eighteen minute long video was shot in 1992 during the closing of danvers state hospital. Medfield state hospital medfield, massachusetts atlas obscura. Danvers state insane asylum, danvers state hospital, preston interview, employee that worked at danvers state hospital for 24 years. Danvers state insane asylum and session 9 the big seance. After having just watched session 9 yesterday, for the first time, i knew immediately i wanted to do a piece on the building used in the film.