Jordan Ellis
The Danvers State Hospital, also known as the State Lunatic Hospital at Danvers, was a psychiatric hospital located in Danvers, Massachusetts. Built in 1874 on a hilltop site of over 500 acres, the hospital was designed by prominent Boston architect Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee. The site, originally consisting of 197.25 acres, was purchased for $39,542.50 and was chosen for its beauty, privacy, views, and farming potential. As the number of patients increased over time, the hospital purchased an additional 100 acres in 1902 to expand its facilities and farm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1874 |
| Year of Opening | 1878 |
| Location | Danvers, Massachusetts |
| Size | 197.25 acres initially, later expanded to over 500 acres |
| Number of Buildings | 2 main center buildings with 4 radiating wings each |
| Architectural Style | Victorian Gothic |
| Architect | Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee |
| Cost of Construction | $1.5 million |
| Year of Closure | 1992 |
| Year of Demolition | 2006 |
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What You'll Learn
The site was originally 197.25 acres
The site for the Danvers State Hospital was originally 197.25 acres of the Dodge farm, including Hawthorne Hill, a drumlín 240 or 257 feet above sea level. The site was purchased for $39,542.50 in 1873, and construction of the hospital began in 1874. The hospital was built according to the Kirkbride Plan, which stated that a mental hospital should be located in the country, at least two miles away from a town of considerable size, on at least 100 acres of land. The site was chosen for its beauty, privacy, views, and farming potential. It was also accessible to visitors and had a supply of heating fuel.
By the turn of the 20th century, the hospital had outgrown its site and facilities. In 1902, an additional 100 acres were purchased, straddling the towns of Danvers and Middleton, and a major building campaign was undertaken. Twentieth-century additions to the hospital reflect the growth of the patient population and an increased emphasis on occupational therapy and decentralized care.
The hospital closed in 1992 due to budget cuts and was sold to a residential apartment developer in 2005. Most of the buildings were demolished, with the intent to build 497 apartments on the 77-acre site. However, only a portion of the original site was used for this development, as the Danvers State Hospital is said to have occupied over 500 acres.
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100 acres were purchased to expand
The Danvers State Hospital was established in 1874 in Danvers, Massachusetts. It was built on a site comprising 197.25 acres of the Dodge farm, including Hawthorne Hill, a drumlins 240 feet above sea level. The hospital was designed by prominent Boston architect Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee and constructed under his supervision.
By the turn of the 20th century, the hospital had outgrown its site. Therefore, in 1902, an additional 100 acres were purchased, straddling the towns of Danvers and Middleton. This expansion allowed for the construction of new buildings and reflected the growth in the patient population, as well as an increased focus on occupational therapy and decentralized care.
The additional land was used to build large barns and new housing for the men who worked on the farming venture, such as Grove Hall in 1902 and Farm Hall in 1931. The expansion also facilitated the establishment of the Middleton Colony in 1903, which housed 300 long-term female patients.
The purchase of the 100 acres was part of a major building campaign that transformed the hospital and allowed it to accommodate a larger number of patients. This expansion reflects the changing attitudes towards the treatment of mental health and the hospital's commitment to providing improved care and services to its patients.
Overall, the Danvers State Hospital, including the original site and the subsequent expansion, occupied a significant area, showcasing the scale and ambition of the project to create a leading mental health care facility.
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The hospital occupied over 500 acres
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. It was built on a massive scale in 1874 and opened in 1878, occupying a hilltop site of over 500 acres with a view of Boston 18 miles to the south. The site, originally consisting of 197.25 acres, was chosen for its beauty, privacy, view, and farming potential.
The hospital was designed and built according to the Kirkbride Plan, which called for mental hospitals to be located in the country, at least two miles away from a town of considerable size, on at least 100 acres of land. The plan emphasized the therapeutic benefits of privacy, exercise, labor, and occupation for patients, as well as easy accessibility via good roads or railroads. Hathorne Hill, the chosen site for the hospital, met all of these requirements. It was a scenic location with established oak, pine, and apple groves, and it was close to Salem and Boston with nearby railroads and good roads.
By the turn of the 20th century, the hospital had outgrown its site and facilities. In 1902, an additional 100 acres were purchased to expand the hospital's farm, and a major building campaign was undertaken. This expansion reflects not only the growth of the patient population but also an increased emphasis on occupational therapy and decentralized care. Large barns, new buildings for farming ventures, and additional housing for patients were constructed during this time.
Despite its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, most of the hospital was demolished in 2006, with plans to build 497 apartments on the 77-acre site. Today, only the exterior of the Kirkbride complex remains, along with cemeteries, blocked tunnels, and the brick shell of the administration building.
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The site was sold for apartment development
The Danvers State Hospital, also known as the State Lunatic Hospital at Danvers, was a psychiatric hospital located in Danvers, Massachusetts. Built in 1874, it occupied a site of over 500 acres, though some sources state 197.25 acres. The hospital was closed permanently in 1992 and abandoned the same year.
In December 2005, three years after the hospital's abandonment, the property was sold to AvalonBay Communities, a residential apartment developer. AvalonBay Communities purchased the property with the intention of building 497 apartments on the site. A lawsuit was filed by a local preservation fund to prevent the demolition of the hospital, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the demolition of most of the buildings began in January 2006.
On 7 April 2007, four of the apartment complex buildings and four of AvalonBay's construction trailers burned down in a large fire. Avalon Bay predicted that they would have properties available for rent or sale by Fall 2007. On 27 June 2014, Avalon Bay Communities, Inc. sold the property for $108.5 million to the DSF Group, which released plans for the property to undergo further renovations.
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The hospital was demolished in 2006
The Danvers State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital located in Danvers, Massachusetts, was built in 1874 on a site comprising 197.25 acres of the Dodge farm, including Hawthorne Hill, an imposing 240-foot-high glacial drumlin. Over time, the hospital expanded, and by the turn of the 20th century, it had outgrown its original site. In 1902, an additional 100 acres were purchased, bringing the total size of the hospital grounds to over 500 acres.
Despite its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the hospital fell into a state of abandonment and disrepair following its closure in 1992 due to budget cuts and changes in mental health treatment approaches. A lawsuit was filed by a local preservation fund to prevent the demolition of the historic site, but it was unsuccessful.
In December 2005, the 77-acre property was sold to AvalonBay Communities, a residential apartment developer. Demolition of most of the buildings began in 2006, with the intent to build 497 apartments on the site. Only the exterior of the Kirkbride complex was preserved, along with the cemeteries, blocked tunnels, and the brick shell of the administration building.
The demolition of Danvers State Hospital marked the end of an era for the historic psychiatric hospital, which had played a significant role in the treatment of people with mental health issues and disabilities. The site's transformation into a residential area reflected the changing landscape of mental health care and priorities in the early 21st century.
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Frequently asked questions
The Danvers State Hospital occupied a site of over 500 acres.
The Danvers State Hospital was originally built on 197.25 acres of the Dodge farm, including Hawthorne Hill.
The land was purchased for $39,542.50.
The Danvers State Hospital was built in 1874 and opened in 1878.
Hawthorne Hill was chosen because it met all of Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride's requirements for a mental hospital. It was in the country, provided privacy, and was suitable for farming and gardening.
