Claire Dawson
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum and Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, was a psychiatric hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. The hospital was established in 1881 and operated from 1885 to 1989. Since its closure, the hospital grounds have been redeveloped, and the site now serves as a social centre with shops, restaurants, offices, and residences. The hospital's history and transformation are an important part of the community's evolution, but is Traverse City State Hospital still open?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Operation dates | 1885 to 1989 |
| Location | Traverse City, Michigan |
| Other names | Northern Michigan Asylum, Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, The State Hospital |
| Founder | James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah |
| Purpose | Care for the mentally ill, patients with tuberculosis, typhoid, diphtheria, influenza, polio, elderly care, drug rehab, and nurse training |
| Patient capacity | 43 residents in 1885, nearly 3,000 by 1959 |
| Building | Victorian-Italianate style, designed by Gordon W. Lloyd, based on the Kirkbride Plan |
| Current status | Decommissioned, now a social center with shops, restaurants, offices, and residences |
| Visitor access | Yes, guided and self-guided tours available, along with programs, events, and event spaces |
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What You'll Learn
The Traverse City State Hospital is now closed
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum and the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, was a psychiatric hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. It was the third psychiatric hospital in Michigan, established due to the overcrowding of the Kalamazoo and Pontiac State Hospitals. The hospital was founded by James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah, and it opened its doors in 1885 with 43 residents. Under the supervision of Dr. Munson, the hospital pursued a unique form of patient care centered around the philosophy of "beauty is therapy". This philosophy emphasized the surrounding pastoral environment and the use of natural light, fresh flowers, and inspirational artwork to uplift the mental and emotional state of the patients. The hospital also provided opportunities for patients to gain a sense of purpose through farming, furniture construction, and fruit canning, keeping the institution self-sufficient.
In the 1950s, the Traverse City State Hospital was replaced by the Munson Medical Center, the largest hospital in northern Michigan. By the time it closed in 1989, the use of the hospital had slowly declined, and pieces of the property had been split between the Munson Hospital, the Pavilions, and Garfield Township, with other portions being transferred to the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation in 1993. Over 200 jobs were lost due to the closure, and the community struggled for over a decade with plans for the reuse of the hospital grounds.
Today, the former Traverse City State Hospital has been transformed into a thriving community known as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. It features shops, restaurants, office space, and residences. The historic preservation and adaptive reuse redevelopment project is one of the largest in the country, and the site has become a popular social center. The grounds also feature a visitor center, botanical garden, and miles of unpaved trails for hiking, biking, and nature watching.
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The hospital's history and evolution
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum and the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, was established in 1881 by James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah. It was the third psychiatric hospital in Michigan, after the Kalamazoo State Hospital and the Pontiac State Hospital, which were becoming overcrowded.
The hospital was designed by Detroit architect Gordon W. Lloyd in accordance with the Kirkbride Plan, which was designed to facilitate a mental hospital's administrative and treatment needs. The Kirkbride Plan consisted of a central administrative section and wings on either side for housing patients, with each patient room having a view of the outside, access to natural light, sunshine, and fresh air. The hospital opened in 1885 with 43 residents, growing to almost 3,000 by 1959.
The hospital pursued a unique form of patient care centred around the philosophy of "beauty is therapy," where the surrounding pastoral environment and hundreds of acres of gardens and farmland were used to uplift the mental and emotional state of the patients. The asylum also provided opportunities for patients to gain a sense of purpose through farming, furniture construction, fruit canning, and other trades that kept the institution self-sufficient.
In the 1950s, long-term medical facilities like the Traverse City State Hospital housed nearly half a million patients. However, advancements in medical and psychiatric care led to the closure of many of these facilities by the 1990s and early 2000s. The Traverse City State Hospital closed in 1989, resulting in a loss of over 200 jobs.
After its closure, the hospital grounds stood vacant for a decade, with much debate surrounding the reuse of the property. In 1993, the state transferred the property to the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation, and in 2000, the Minervini Group secured an agreement to renovate the property, investing over $60 million in its renovation and restoration. Today, the former hospital has been transformed into a social centre called The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, which includes shops, restaurants, office space, and residences.
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The hospital's architecture and design
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum, was established in 1881 by James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah. The hospital was in operation from 1885 to 1989 and has since been redeveloped into a social centre called The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The hospital is the last remaining Kirkbride Building in Michigan, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The first building, known as Building 50, was constructed in Victorian-Italianate style according to the Kirkbride Plan, which consists of a central administrative section and wings on either side for patient housing. Each patient room had a view of the outside, with access to light, sunshine, and fresh air. The main structure was large and advanced for Northern Michigan, with central heating and electric lights. The hospital was designed by prominent architect Gordon W. Lloyd, with a state-of-the-art ventilation system influenced by germ theory.
Building 50 was completed in 1882, and the hospital opened in 1885 with 43 residents. Under the supervision of James Decker Munson, the first superintendent, the institution expanded rapidly. Between 1887 and 1903, twelve housing cottages and two infirmaries were built to accommodate the growing patient population and their diverse needs. The cottages were segregated, with southern cottages for men and northern cottages for women. Some cottages, such as Cottages 19 and 20, served as "hospitals within the hospital" for patients recovering from surgery or contagious diseases.
The hospital's design reflected the philosophy of Dr. Thomas Kirkbride, an early adapter of psychological care. He believed that a peaceful and pleasing environment was vital to therapy and the reintegration of patients into society. This aligned with Dr. Munson's philosophy that "beauty is therapy". As such, the hospital aimed to create a beautiful and welcoming environment, with fresh flowers and plants decorating dining tables and resting areas. Physical restraints were forbidden, except in extreme cases, and patients were served meals on fine china with linen tablecloths.
Today, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons has transformed the former hospital into a thriving community. The site includes shops, restaurants, offices, and residences, with local events, eateries, and markets. Visitors can explore the historic grounds through docent-led or self-guided audio tours, and the botanical gardens offer miles of unpaved trails for hiking, biking, and nature watching. The former asylum farm, which once supplied the hospital with dairy products and vegetables, is now part of the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, providing a space for outdoor recreation.
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The hospital's paranormal encounters
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum, was established in 1881 by James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah. The hospital operated from 1885 to 1989 and is now known for its paranormal encounters and eerie past.
The hospital was built according to the Kirkbride Plan, which was designed to facilitate the administrative and treatment needs of a mental hospital. The plan emphasized the importance of peaceful and pleasing surroundings for patients, with each patient room having access to fresh air, sunlight, and a view of the outside. However, some patients with birth defects or mental illnesses were reportedly hidden away in basements or attics, with limited social interaction.
The hospital has a dark history, with reports of patients being treated poorly and warnings of paranormal activity. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices and footsteps, seeing lights flickering in unoccupied buildings, and feeling a cold presence. Some have even experienced extreme nausea and dizziness.
One of the most fascinating and disturbing legends associated with the hospital is that of the "Hippie Tree," located on the hospital's grounds. The exact details of the legend are unclear, but it is said to be a place of satanic rituals and strange energy. Additionally, there are reports of ghost sightings on the hospital grounds, including a worker holding her head and the ghost of a Hannah Lay Sawmill worker.
The hospital's paranormal reputation has only grown over the years, and it is now considered one of the most haunted places in Michigan. The site has been redeveloped and reopened as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a social center with shops, restaurants, offices, and residences. Despite the renovation, the hospital's haunted past continues to intrigue and fascinate visitors and locals alike.
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The hospital's current status and future plans
The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum and the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, is a decommissioned psychiatric hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. The hospital was established in 1881 by James Decker Munson and Perry Hannah, opening its doors in 1885 with 43 residents. It was built according to the Kirkbride Plan, which was designed to facilitate a mental hospital's administrative and treatment needs. The hospital's founding philosophy was that "beauty is therapy", and it aimed to uplift patients' mental and emotional states through their surroundings.
The hospital ceased operations in 1989 due to changes in the law and mental health care philosophies. After its closure, the hospital grounds stood vacant for a decade, with the community debating the best plans for its reuse. The site was redeveloped and reopened in 2002 as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a social centre including shops, restaurants, offices, and residences. The Village is the result of one of the largest historic preservation and adaptive reuse redevelopments in the country, with the Minervini Group investing over $60 million into the renovation and restoration of the buildings and grounds.
Today, the former hospital continues to serve the local community, with visitors able to explore the shops, restaurants, and grounds. The Visitor Centre is open from April to October and offers docent-led or self-guided audio tours. The Village also hosts special events and social gatherings, such as unique festivals, farm markets, and concerts.
The hospital's historic significance is also recognised, with it being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1985. The restoration of the hospital is seen as an important step in preserving the history of American psychiatry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Traverse City State Hospital closed in 1989.
The hospital grounds were redeveloped and reopened in 2002 as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a social centre including shops, restaurants, offices and residences.
Yes, you can visit the former hospital site. The Visitor Centre is open from April to October and offers docent-led tours, as well as self-guided audio tours.
