Editing Mount Hope Retreat
From Asylum Projects
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
| construction_ended = 1870 | | construction_ended = 1870 | ||
| opened = July 8, 1860 | | opened = July 8, 1860 | ||
− | | closed = | + | | closed = |
| demolished = | | demolished = | ||
| current_status = [[Demolished Institution|Demolished]] | | current_status = [[Demolished Institution|Demolished]] | ||
Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
*Seton Institute<BR> | *Seton Institute<BR> | ||
*Mt. Hope<BR> | *Mt. Hope<BR> | ||
− | + | *Mount Hope Insane Asylum | |
− | *Mount Hope Insane Asylum | ||
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
− | In 1840 the Sisters of Charity, because of some dissatisfaction on the part of the Board of Directors, severed their connection with the Maryland Hospital, where for several years they had been in charge of the insane inmates and where they had been eminently successful. | + | In 1840 the Sisters of Charity, because of some dissatisfaction on the part of the Board of Directors, severed their connection with the Maryland Hospital, then situated upon North Broadway, Baltimore, where for several years they had been in charge of the insane inmates and where they had been eminently successful. |
− | + | That they had the confidence of the patients and their friends was soon strikingly made manifest, for at the urgent solicitation of the parties most interested, the Sisters were induced to procure a home of their own, and 17 patients were at once placed in their care. | |
+ | |||
+ | At first a small two-story brick house on Front Street, near Fayette, adjoining St. Vincent's Church, was obtained and Dr. Durkee was duly installed as medical attendant. This building soon proved insufficient and the Sisters were forced to seek more commodious accommodations. They finally purchased a lot improved by a frame building on the Harford Road, a short distance from the city limits, and called it Mount St. Vincent. This was arranged for the accommodation of patients, and the Sisters devoted themselves with renewed zeal and constantly increasing success to the good work they had undertaken. In 1842 Dr. William H. Stokes was invited to assume the medical charge of the new institution and his untiring energy, devotion and fidelity contributed greatly to its advancement and success. With the rapid growth of the institution, Mt. St. Vincent soon became overcrowded with patients, and the Sisters were compelled a second time to seek more ample quarters in order to meet the demand of those who appreciated their kindly care and attention. | ||
In April, 1844, Mt. Hope College, situated in the vicinity of what is now North Avenue, Laurens, Park and Bolton streets, was purchased with its ample grounds from Mr. Treadwell by Rev. L. Deluol, who was then Superior of the order. On taking possession of this property the Sisters changed its name to Mt. Hope Institution. As it had been built as a college, it was found admirably adapted to the care of patients and the rooms and dormitories were very desirable. Several springs on the property afforded an ample supply of water, which was forced into the house by hydraulic rams. | In April, 1844, Mt. Hope College, situated in the vicinity of what is now North Avenue, Laurens, Park and Bolton streets, was purchased with its ample grounds from Mr. Treadwell by Rev. L. Deluol, who was then Superior of the order. On taking possession of this property the Sisters changed its name to Mt. Hope Institution. As it had been built as a college, it was found admirably adapted to the care of patients and the rooms and dormitories were very desirable. Several springs on the property afforded an ample supply of water, which was forced into the house by hydraulic rams. | ||
− | After being repaired and enlarged this building, with its beautiful surroundings, situated at a convenient distance from the city, for many years formed a prominent feature among the institutions of Baltimore; its reputation soon became national, patients being received from all sections of the country. From time to time the structure was enlarged and extended to accommodate the unexpected influx of patients. The whole interior was | + | After being repaired and enlarged this building, with its beautiful surroundings, situated at a convenient distance from the city, for many years formed a prominent feature among the institutions of Baltimore; its reputation soon became national, patients being received from all sections of the country. From time to time the structure was enlarged and extended to accommodate the unexpected influx of patients. The whole interior was remodelled, and all arrangements were made and appliances were introduced which the humane spirit of the age deemed essential for the successful treatment of mental disease. |
− | But it was not to rest here. Within a few years Mt. Hope in its turn became crowded, and this fact, together with the extension of streets and the rapid encroachment of the city on the privacy of patients, necessitated another removal. After an examination of numerous sites, it was decided to purchase the property on the Reisterstown Road, extending back to the Liberty Road, known as the Meredith Tract. This location, about one mile from the | + | But it was not to rest here. Within a few years Mt. Hope in its turn became crowded, and this fact, together with the extension of streets and the rapid encroachment of the city on the privacy of patients, necessitated another removal. After an examination of numerous sites, it was decided to purchase the property on the Reisterstown Road, extending back to the Liberty Road, known as the Meredith Tract. This location, about one mile from the present city limits, possessed many advantages. |
The new hospital was designed by Long & Powell, architects, under the direction of Rev. F. Burlando, then Superior of the Sisters of Charity. The foundation stone was laid by him on July 2, 1859. The first wing was completed in 1860, and on the 8th of July four Sisters took possession of it; their number was soon increased to 12, and the patients were removed from Mt. Hope Institution as fast as accommodations could be provided. The new home was known henceforth as Mt. Hope Retreat and under this title was incorporated in March, 1870. | The new hospital was designed by Long & Powell, architects, under the direction of Rev. F. Burlando, then Superior of the Sisters of Charity. The foundation stone was laid by him on July 2, 1859. The first wing was completed in 1860, and on the 8th of July four Sisters took possession of it; their number was soon increased to 12, and the patients were removed from Mt. Hope Institution as fast as accommodations could be provided. The new home was known henceforth as Mt. Hope Retreat and under this title was incorporated in March, 1870. | ||
Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
The laundry building was also completely remodeled, the floor of the wash-room proper being built of reinforced concrete. The laundry has been equipped with three direct-connected washing machines, two direct-connected extractors, one starch cooker, one dry room tumbler, one continuous rapid dry room, one large mangle and 12 electric irons and boards, all of the latest and most modern types. | The laundry building was also completely remodeled, the floor of the wash-room proper being built of reinforced concrete. The laundry has been equipped with three direct-connected washing machines, two direct-connected extractors, one starch cooker, one dry room tumbler, one continuous rapid dry room, one large mangle and 12 electric irons and boards, all of the latest and most modern types. | ||
− | The | + | The number of patients remaining in Mt. Hope Retreat October 31, 1913, was: males, 264; females, 397; total, 661.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=bnraAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA559&dq=editions:UOM39015005122398&client=firefox-a&output=text#c_top</ref> |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||