Difference between revisions of "Portal:Featured Article Of The Week"

From Asylum Projects
Jump to: navigation, search
(11 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{FAformat
 
{{FAformat
|Title= Northampton State Hospital
+
|Title= Big Spring State Hospital
|Image= Northampton_insane_asylum.jpg
+
|Image= TXbigspringaerial.png
 
|Width= 150px
 
|Width= 150px
|Body= The Lunatic Hospital at Northampton was authorized in 1855 to relieve overcrowding in the Commonwealth's existing asylums at Worcester and Taunton, and especially to serve the population of the state's four western counties. It was planned for 250 patients, a population that was not expected to be reached for some time. Prior to improvement of the originally purchased 185 acres overlooking the town of Northampton one mile to the east. Built in 1856, the Northampton Lunatic Hospital was the fourth Kirkbride building to be constructed; it originally consisted of a single three story brick building, designed in a Gothic Revival style, and had the capacity for 250 patients. Following the Kirkbride design, the central administration floors were flanked by two patient wings, one for male and one for female. After many different expansions and additions to attempt to relieve overcrowding, the building seems to have become a confusing maze of rooms and hallways.
+
|Body= The 45th Texas Legislature authorized the construction of Big Spring State Hospital in 1937 to serve the people of the West Texas area. The city donated the 577 acres, which at the time was valued at $51,400 and philanthropist Dora Roberts guaranteed a permanent water supply. Governor James V Allred placed the facility in Big Spring because of the need for a psychiatric hospital in West Texas. Ground was broken in January 1938, and the hospital opened 18 months later in June 1939. Within six months, the hospital treated 402 patients, most of whom were transferred from other state facilities.
  
In 1864, Dr. Price was succeeded as superintendent by Pliny Earle, who served until 1886. Earle was recommended by noted advocate Dorothea Dix, who had made several personal visits to Northampton. While at Northampton, Earle attempted to apply the rehabilitative tenets of Moral Treatment despite the institution's ever increasing size. Earle, who was a great national voice for humane treatment of the insane. Amusement was another essential component of Moral Treatment. Together, work and amusement provided structure and a sense of normalcy by allowing patients to engage in everyday activities they might have participated in at home. Earle arranged for extensive programs of religious and secular readings, music, lectures, and dancing as part of the patients' treatment. other recreational activities included strolling through the grounds, bowling, games, and library privileges.  [[Northampton State Hospital|Click here for more...]]
+
The original eight buildings designated as the general hospital were the administration building, including professional and administrative staff living quarters; the employees building, which included housing for direct care and clerical staff; the men's receiving hospital; the women's receiving hospital; the psychiatric hospital; the laundry; the power house; and the supply building. A railroad spur was located west of the supply building in order for the transportation and delivery of hospital supplies.
 +
 
 +
Five additional buildings were constructed on campus within the next 10 years at a cost of $778,000. Improvements to the grounds and the addition of equipment brought the total hospital investment to $1,060,571. Today, the hospital physical plant includes 25 buildings.  [[Big Spring State Hospital|Click here for more...]]
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 04:36, 28 May 2023

Featured Article Of The Week

Big Spring State Hospital


TXbigspringaerial.png

The 45th Texas Legislature authorized the construction of Big Spring State Hospital in 1937 to serve the people of the West Texas area. The city donated the 577 acres, which at the time was valued at $51,400 and philanthropist Dora Roberts guaranteed a permanent water supply. Governor James V Allred placed the facility in Big Spring because of the need for a psychiatric hospital in West Texas. Ground was broken in January 1938, and the hospital opened 18 months later in June 1939. Within six months, the hospital treated 402 patients, most of whom were transferred from other state facilities.

The original eight buildings designated as the general hospital were the administration building, including professional and administrative staff living quarters; the employees building, which included housing for direct care and clerical staff; the men's receiving hospital; the women's receiving hospital; the psychiatric hospital; the laundry; the power house; and the supply building. A railroad spur was located west of the supply building in order for the transportation and delivery of hospital supplies.

Five additional buildings were constructed on campus within the next 10 years at a cost of $778,000. Improvements to the grounds and the addition of equipment brought the total hospital investment to $1,060,571. Today, the hospital physical plant includes 25 buildings. Click here for more...