Editing Kalamazoo State Hospital
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The asylum was on the cutting edge of many forms of treatment. Through its close proximity to town, it was able to establish an innovative outpatient clinic in 1916 as well as a unique "family-care" program that placed patients in certified homes. The hospital also made use of colony farms, adjunct properties on which patients with milder illnesses — and those who today might be considered developmentally delayed — lived in familial farm settings. (One of these was near Kalamazoo's Asylum Lake.) They often raised livestock and produce for use at the hospital. The farms are examples of the limited treatment options for the mentally ill that were available before the 1950s. Electroshock therapy, insulin-induced comas and some barbiturate drugs resulted in limited reversals in thoughts and behavior of patients, he said. | The asylum was on the cutting edge of many forms of treatment. Through its close proximity to town, it was able to establish an innovative outpatient clinic in 1916 as well as a unique "family-care" program that placed patients in certified homes. The hospital also made use of colony farms, adjunct properties on which patients with milder illnesses — and those who today might be considered developmentally delayed — lived in familial farm settings. (One of these was near Kalamazoo's Asylum Lake.) They often raised livestock and produce for use at the hospital. The farms are examples of the limited treatment options for the mentally ill that were available before the 1950s. Electroshock therapy, insulin-induced comas and some barbiturate drugs resulted in limited reversals in thoughts and behavior of patients, he said. | ||
− | Narcoleptic or anti psychotic drugs, such as Thorazine, that would revolutionize psychiatric treatment and the role of psychiatric hospitals in society. Patients who had been in the hospital for decades were suddenly responsive, able to care for themselves, and moving back to live with their families. By 1987, the number of patients had dropped to 550 | + | Then the world began to change. Narcoleptic or anti psychotic drugs, such as Thorazine, that would revolutionize psychiatric treatment and the role of psychiatric hospitals in society. Patients who had been in the hospital for decades were suddenly responsive, able to care for themselves, and moving back to live with their families. By 1987, the number of patients had dropped to 550. |
[[image:Kzoo7.png|thumb|200px|left]] | [[image:Kzoo7.png|thumb|200px|left]] | ||
− | + | In response to a 1963 congressional joint commission on mental health, states began looking at ways to dismantle large psychiatric hospitals in favor of a community-based mental health system. Michigan established its mental health code in 1974. With these medical and social changes, the Kalamazoo hospital began to literally recede on the community horizon. Buildings were closed, then razed. The hospital campus was once home to almost 80 buildings. Today, fewer than a dozen buildings exist. | |
− | + | Today (2008) there are only 2 original buildings still standing on the campus. The water tower was constructed in 1895 and quickly became a local landmark. It played prominently in the history of the city. The other is the "gate cottage" situated near Oakland Drive at the entrance to the hospital grounds. The gatehouse is "carpenter gothic" in style, featuring board and batten siding, a steep roof and "gingerbread" ornamentation. The house has been furnished with Victorian furniture and serves as a museum. When first built, it was used as the porter's residence and later housed a dozen women patients for a time. | |
==Timeline== | ==Timeline== | ||
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1960 — The number of patients begins a rapid decline because of the introduction of narcoleptic drugs and the move toward community care and treatment. | 1960 — The number of patients begins a rapid decline because of the introduction of narcoleptic drugs and the move toward community care and treatment. | ||
− | + | 1939 — The Female Department Kirkbride is demolished | |
1974 — Michigan Mental Health Code is enacted. | 1974 — Michigan Mental Health Code is enacted. | ||
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file:Kalplan.jpg | file:Kalplan.jpg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==Video== | ==Video== | ||
Kalamazoo Historic Preservation coordinator Sharon Ferraro reveals the secrets of this historic landmark and talks about its future. This program is part of the "This Old Building" series. www.kpl.gov | Kalamazoo Historic Preservation coordinator Sharon Ferraro reveals the secrets of this historic landmark and talks about its future. This program is part of the "This Old Building" series. www.kpl.gov | ||
− | + | <youtube v="jSjT9WOmGH8" /> | |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
− | + | [http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/pics/hospital/ History & photos] | |
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+ | [http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/buildings/kalamazoo/ Info @ Kirkbridebuildings.com] | ||
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[[Category:Michigan]] | [[Category:Michigan]] | ||
[[Category:Active Institution]] | [[Category:Active Institution]] | ||
[[Category:Kirkbride Buildings]] | [[Category:Kirkbride Buildings]] | ||
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[[Category:Articles With Videos]] | [[Category:Articles With Videos]] | ||
[[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] | [[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] |