Editing Camden County Hospital for the Insane

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| established = April 13, 1878
 
| established = April 13, 1878
 
| opened = January 27, 1879
 
| opened = January 27, 1879
| closed = 1998
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| closed =  
| demolished =  
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| demolished = 1890s (Original Structures)
| current_status = [[Closed Institution|Closed]]
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| current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]]
 
| building_style = [[Single Building Institutions|Single Building]]
 
| building_style = [[Single Building Institutions|Single Building]]
 
| architect(s) = Enoch Allen Ward (1879 building)
 
| architect(s) = Enoch Allen Ward (1879 building)
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Camden county admitted it's first mental patient to county care in 1803. As was usual at the time the insane were cared for in the county almshouse, usually in separate cells or small separate buildings.  Originally in Camden the insane were maintained in the almshouse building, however a dozen years after this first admittance the County Freeholders decided it was prudent to erect a separate building for the insane, still under administration of the almshouse. This building was a two story wood framed structure comprised of individual cells and was referred to as the "mad house". After her 1839 visit Dorothea Dix referred to it as "populous with imbecile, insane and epileptic patients -- 25-30 individuals. [It] contains ranges of small cells altogether unfit for the individuals they house." Also recorded at this time is the apparent use of "Ravine Cells". According to first person accounts some of the earliest Blackwood facilities were "barn-like" cells running along the ravine and fitted with small doors.  
 
Camden county admitted it's first mental patient to county care in 1803. As was usual at the time the insane were cared for in the county almshouse, usually in separate cells or small separate buildings.  Originally in Camden the insane were maintained in the almshouse building, however a dozen years after this first admittance the County Freeholders decided it was prudent to erect a separate building for the insane, still under administration of the almshouse. This building was a two story wood framed structure comprised of individual cells and was referred to as the "mad house". After her 1839 visit Dorothea Dix referred to it as "populous with imbecile, insane and epileptic patients -- 25-30 individuals. [It] contains ranges of small cells altogether unfit for the individuals they house." Also recorded at this time is the apparent use of "Ravine Cells". According to first person accounts some of the earliest Blackwood facilities were "barn-like" cells running along the ravine and fitted with small doors.  
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[[File:Ccnews151 03 big.jpg|300px|left]]
  
 
The most disturbed patients were housed in confinement cages on the ground floor; the second floor was for the less disturbed; and the third floor would house the asylum's steward or matron and their families. This was at a time when the superintendent earned $800/year and the weekly cost to house a patient was $1.50. This new facility was known as the Camden County Insane Asylum at Blackwood.  
 
The most disturbed patients were housed in confinement cages on the ground floor; the second floor was for the less disturbed; and the third floor would house the asylum's steward or matron and their families. This was at a time when the superintendent earned $800/year and the weekly cost to house a patient was $1.50. This new facility was known as the Camden County Insane Asylum at Blackwood.  
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File:NJcamdenasylum1924.jpg
 
File:NJcamdenasylum1924.jpg
 
File:NJcamdenasylum19241942.jpg
 
File:NJcamdenasylum19241942.jpg
File:Ccnews151 03 big.jpg
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
[[Category:New Jersey]]
 
[[Category:New Jersey]]
[[Category:Closed Institution]]
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[[Category:Active Institution]]
 
[[Category:Single Building Institutions]]
 
[[Category:Single Building Institutions]]

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