Difference between revisions of "Camden County Hospital for the Insane"
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
| − | + | ==Origins== | |
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." | 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." | ||
| + | [[File:Ccnews151 03 big.jpg|300px|left]] | ||
| − | + | 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; | |
Revision as of 18:58, 22 October 2011
| Camden County Insane Asylum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | April 13, 1878 |
| Opened | January 27, 1879 |
| Demolished | 1890s (Original Structures) |
| Current Status | Active |
| Building Style | Single Building, |
| Architect(s) | Enoch Allen Ward (1879 building) |
| Location | Blackwood, NJ |
| Alternate Names | Camden County Hospital for the Insane Camden County Insane Asylum at Blackwood Camden County Insane Hospital at Lakeland Camden County Health Services Center |
Origins
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;
