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| alt = Broughton Hospital
 
| alt = Broughton Hospital
 
| caption =
 
| caption =
| established = 1875
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| established =
 
| construction_began = 1875
 
| construction_began = 1875
 
| construction_ended =
 
| construction_ended =
| opened = 1883
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| opened =  
 
| closed =
 
| closed =
 
| demolished =
 
| demolished =
 
| current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]]
 
| current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]]
 
| building_style = [[Kirkbride Planned Institutions|Kirkbride Plan]]
 
| building_style = [[Kirkbride Planned Institutions|Kirkbride Plan]]
| architect(s) = Samuel Sloan
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| architect(s) =
| location = Morganton, NC
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| location =  
 
| architecture_style =  
 
| architecture_style =  
 
| peak_patient_population = 3,600
 
| peak_patient_population = 3,600
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==History==
 
==History==
In 1850, Dorothea Dix persuaded the General Assembly to appropriate money for a state-run psychiatric hospital in Raleigh. By 1875, an estimated 700 North Carolinians were classified as “insane” and not receiving proper care. One hospital thus proved insufficient to meet the needs of the State’s mentally ill. Therefore, on March 20, 1875, the General Assembly voted to provide $75,000 to establish a second state hospital. Four western North Carolina cities, Statesville, Hickory, Asheville, and Morganton, competed to become the home for the institution that was to be known in its early years as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum. Morganton was selected.
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In 1850, Dorothea Dix persuaded the General Assembly to appropriate money for a state-run psychiatric hospital in Raleigh. By 1875, an estimated 700 North Carolinians were classified as “insane” and not receiving proper care. One hospital thus proved insufficient to meet the needs of the State’s mentally ill. Therefore, on March 20, 1875, the General Assembly voted to provide $75,000 to establish a second state hospital. Four western North Carolina cities, Statesville, Hickory, Asheville, and Morganton, competed to become the home for the institution that was to be known in its early years as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum. Morganton was selected
  
Gifts and purchases resulted in 263 acres being acquired by the State in 1875. Work began almost immediately. As an economy measure, 50 convicts were released from penitentiaries and brought to Morganton to help make bricks for the hospital’s first building. The brick contractor was responsible for the feeding, safekeeping, and return of the convicts. Realizing that the building under construction would not provide adequate space and due to insufficient funding to expand its size, the General Assembly appropriated an additional $60,000 in 1877 for another wing. Five years later, in December 1882, the Avery Building and its south wing were completed. Dr. Patrick Livingston Murphy was hired as the first superintendent, a position in which he served for 25 years.
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Gifts and purchases resulted in 263 acres being acquired by the State in 1875. Work began almost immediately. As an economy measure, 50 convicts were released from penitentiaries and brought to Morganton to help make bricks for the hospital’s first building. The brick contractor was responsible for the feeding, safekeeping, and return of the convicts. Realizing that the building under construction would not provide adequate space and due to insufficient funding to expand its size, the General Assembly appropriated an additional $60,000 in 1877 for another wing. Five years later, in December 1882, the Avery Building and its south wing were completed. Dr. Patrick Livingston Murphy was hired as the first superintendent, a position in which he served for 25 years
  
 
In early 1883, the General Assembly directed that Dorothea Dix Hospital and the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum determine between themselves which of the State’s counties each hospital was to serve. On March 7, 1883, a line was drawn following the western boundary of Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery, and Richmond counties.
 
In early 1883, the General Assembly directed that Dorothea Dix Hospital and the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum determine between themselves which of the State’s counties each hospital was to serve. On March 7, 1883, a line was drawn following the western boundary of Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery, and Richmond counties.
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The name of the hospital was changed from the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum to the State Hospital at Morganton in 1890. This name was retained until 1959, when it was changed to Broughton Hospital after then Governor J. Melville Broughton.
 
The name of the hospital was changed from the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum to the State Hospital at Morganton in 1890. This name was retained until 1959, when it was changed to Broughton Hospital after then Governor J. Melville Broughton.
  
During the early years of the hospital’s existence, many of the male patients worked on the hospital’s roads and grounds. A road was built to the hospital from the town of Morganton with the help of Broughton Hospital patients. Additional land was purchased, and by 1893 the total campus acreage was up to 331.
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During the early years of the hospital’s existence, many of the male patients worked on the hospital’s roads and grounds. A road was built to the hospital from the town of Morganton with the help of Broughton Hospital patients. Additional land was purchased, and by 1893 the total campus acreage was up to 331
  
 
By May 1899, the eastern dividing line for the Western District was changed to the western border of Granville, Durham, Chatham, Harnett, Cumberland, and Robeson counties. Additional buildings, including an airing court, a summer house for women, a bowling alley and billiard room, a bake house and dairy, a greenhouse, and a new stable and farm house were added to the campus. Yet additional land was purchased in 1900 at the Hunting Creek Bridge, and a golf course, which was used by patients and staff, was built near the Farm Colony.
 
By May 1899, the eastern dividing line for the Western District was changed to the western border of Granville, Durham, Chatham, Harnett, Cumberland, and Robeson counties. Additional buildings, including an airing court, a summer house for women, a bowling alley and billiard room, a bake house and dairy, a greenhouse, and a new stable and farm house were added to the campus. Yet additional land was purchased in 1900 at the Hunting Creek Bridge, and a golf course, which was used by patients and staff, was built near the Farm Colony.
  
===1900-1960s===
 
 
In the early 1900’s, the colony treatment approach was adopted, which resulted in the establishment of a number of detached residential units where patients could live in smaller groups in less of an institutional atmosphere. The colony houses were constructed to resemble other farmhouses in western North Carolina. Gardens, vineyards, and orchards surrounded these homes, as actual farming operations were undertaken to keep the custodial-care patients productively occupied. There were three colony groups involving ten buildings, which housed about 350 patients.
 
In the early 1900’s, the colony treatment approach was adopted, which resulted in the establishment of a number of detached residential units where patients could live in smaller groups in less of an institutional atmosphere. The colony houses were constructed to resemble other farmhouses in western North Carolina. Gardens, vineyards, and orchards surrounded these homes, as actual farming operations were undertaken to keep the custodial-care patients productively occupied. There were three colony groups involving ten buildings, which housed about 350 patients.
  
Influenza and pneumonia hit the hospital in 1901. At that time, the hospital served 52 counties in North Carolina. In 1903 the Harper Building opened, and in 1906 a large, new laundry was constructed. An amusement hall was also planned in front of the Scroggs Building at the strawberry patch, which is now the location of the Geropsychiatry parking lot and Watkin’s Garden. By 1908, buildings to house female tuberculosis patients and the Nurses’ Home were completed. The subsequent year, a new kitchen and bakeshop followed, along with a building to house male tuberculosis patients. In 1910, plumbing was replaced in the Avery Building, iron beds replaced wooden beds, and granite steps in the front of Avery Building were replaced with marble steps.
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Influenza and pneumonia hit the hospital in 1901. At that time, the hospital served 52 counties in North Carolina. In 1903 the Harper Building opened, and in 1906 a large, new laundry was constructed. An amusement hall was also planned in front of the Scroggs Building at the strawberry patch, which is now the location of the Geropsychiatry parking lot and Watkin’s Garden. By 1908, buildings to house female tuberculosis patients and the Nurses’ Home were completed. The subsequent year, a new kitchen and bakeshop followed, along with a building to house male tuberculosis patients. In 1910, plumbing was replaced in the Avery Building, iron beds replaced wooden beds, and granite steps in the front of Avery Building were replaced with marble steps
  
 
Meanwhile, a state-level hospital commission was formed to inspect and supervise the hospitals. As far as treatment planning, there were daily staff meetings at the hospital where each patient’s case was presented and reviewed.
 
Meanwhile, a state-level hospital commission was formed to inspect and supervise the hospitals. As far as treatment planning, there were daily staff meetings at the hospital where each patient’s case was presented and reviewed.
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In 1968, after the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the school program began on the fourth floor of the Avery Building. At that time, school-aged patients were housed in geographic units, and the only time they were grouped together was when they attended class.
 
In 1968, after the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the school program began on the fourth floor of the Avery Building. At that time, school-aged patients were housed in geographic units, and the only time they were grouped together was when they attended class.
  
===1970s-Today===
 
 
Throughout the early 1970’s, many changes took place at the hospital: the Physical Therapy Department was established; electroconvulsive therapy was started; Industrial Therapy began using a token system instead of giving snuff as payment to the patients; the Outpatient Clinic closed; Western Piedmont Community College and Gardner-Webb College began nursing affiliations with the Hospital; EEG equipment was purchased and the X-Ray Department added Nuclear Medicine; the new Vocational Rehabilitation Facility was completed and the local Foothills Area Program opened; Lithium was introduced to patients; the old amusement hall became the sheltered workshop; group therapy was first used on all units; patients began to wear their own clothing; the Neuroscience Department was created; patients’ rights policies were established; and the basement of the Chapel was completed. The Chapel basement became the site for a courtroom where patients’ hearings were held on a weekly basis. Such District Court civil hearings for involuntarily committed patients began in June 1974.
 
Throughout the early 1970’s, many changes took place at the hospital: the Physical Therapy Department was established; electroconvulsive therapy was started; Industrial Therapy began using a token system instead of giving snuff as payment to the patients; the Outpatient Clinic closed; Western Piedmont Community College and Gardner-Webb College began nursing affiliations with the Hospital; EEG equipment was purchased and the X-Ray Department added Nuclear Medicine; the new Vocational Rehabilitation Facility was completed and the local Foothills Area Program opened; Lithium was introduced to patients; the old amusement hall became the sheltered workshop; group therapy was first used on all units; patients began to wear their own clothing; the Neuroscience Department was created; patients’ rights policies were established; and the basement of the Chapel was completed. The Chapel basement became the site for a courtroom where patients’ hearings were held on a weekly basis. Such District Court civil hearings for involuntarily committed patients began in June 1974.
  
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File:Broughton-hospital-1.jpg
 
File:Broughton-hospital-1.jpg
 
File:Broughton-hospital-2.jpg
 
File:Broughton-hospital-2.jpg
File:State239.jpg
 
File:BroughtonSH - Avery Building.jpg
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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Burials in this cemetery date back to the 1800's. There are more than 300 graves in the cemetery, marked by tags with the patient's initials and patient number. The hospital fire chief was Kelley Houk, a minister who also did embalming. Visitors are generally escorted to the cemetery. For information call 828-433-2111.
 
Burials in this cemetery date back to the 1800's. There are more than 300 graves in the cemetery, marked by tags with the patient's initials and patient number. The hospital fire chief was Kelley Houk, a minister who also did embalming. Visitors are generally escorted to the cemetery. For information call 828-433-2111.
  
New information as of 1 Jan 2013:  Burials in this cemetery date back to May 1883 when the first woman was buried here.  The last burial was in 2012 and the last prior to that in 1997 and prior to that in 1953 when the practice of burying here was ended with the two exceptions noted above.  There are a few more than 1580 men, women and stillborn children buried here.  A complete listing can be found under Broughton Hospital cemetery on FindaGrave.com. (see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2183934&CScn=broughton+hospital&)   
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New information as of 1 Jan 2013:  Burials in this cemetery date back to May 1883 when the first woman was buried here.  The last burial was in 2012 and the last prior to that in 1997 and prior to that in 1953 when the practice of burying here was ended with the two exceptions noted above.  There are a few more than 1580 men, women and stillborn children buried here.  A complete listing can be found under Broughton Hospital cemetery on FindaGrave.com. (see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2183934&CScn=broughton+hospital&)  Other current online listings are in error as they duplicate erroneous records including dates of birth, dates of death and misspelled names.  The cemetery remains open to the public and no escort is required.  Each grave is marked by a ground level marker bearing the patient number, abbreviated (and in some cases misspelled) name, year of birth (often erroneous but based on what was thought to be correct at time of admission and/or time of death) and year of death.  These markers were placed during a joint project between the then Chaplain and an Eagle scout with funds donated as part of the project and with the assistance of Sossoman Funeral Home. A few of these markers have been removed due to mower damage and plans are in place to repair and reset them in 2013. Many of the graves are also marked by stones erected by family, many of them soon after death and a steadily increasing number erected recently by descendants or other relatives.  A few of the graves still have the brass tags hanging.  These are the original markers and were suspended on chains strung along each row.  These brass tags were stamped with a partial patient number and the person's initials. (source: Suzannah McCuen, MD)
 
 
Other current online listings are in error as they duplicate erroneous records including dates of birth, dates of death and misspelled names.  The cemetery remains open to the public and no escort is required.  Each grave is marked by a ground level marker bearing the patient number, abbreviated (and in some cases misspelled) name, year of birth (often erroneous but based on what was thought to be correct at time of admission and/or time of death) and year of death.  These markers were placed during a joint project between the then Chaplain and an Eagle scout with funds donated as part of the project and with the assistance of Sossoman Funeral Home. A few of these markers have been removed due to mower damage and plans are in place to repair and reset them in 2013.  
 
 
 
Many of the graves are also marked by stones erected by family, many of them soon after death and a steadily increasing number erected recently by descendants or other relatives.  A few of the graves still have the brass tags hanging.  These are the original markers and were suspended on chains strung along each row.  These brass tags were stamped with a partial patient number and the person's initials. (source: Suzannah McCuen, MD)
 
 
 
Another patient was buried here in 2013 as no family members remained. (source: Suzannah McCuen, MD)
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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[[Category:Active Institution]]
 
[[Category:Active Institution]]
 
[[Category:Institution With A Cemetery]]
 
[[Category:Institution With A Cemetery]]
[[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]]
 

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