Editing Vermont State Hospital
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| alt = Vermont State Hospital | | alt = Vermont State Hospital | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| − | | established = | + | | established = |
| − | | construction_began = | + | | construction_began = 1890 |
| construction_ended = | | construction_ended = | ||
| opened = 1891 | | opened = 1891 | ||
| closed = October 20, 2011 | | closed = October 20, 2011 | ||
| − | | demolished = | + | | demolished = 2014 |
| − | | current_status = [[ | + | | current_status = [[Demolished Institution|Demolished]] |
| building_style = [[Pavilion Plan Institutions|Pavilion Plan]] | | building_style = [[Pavilion Plan Institutions|Pavilion Plan]] | ||
| − | | architect(s) = | + | | architect(s) = |
| location = Waterbury, VT | | location = Waterbury, VT | ||
| architecture_style = | | architecture_style = | ||
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Dr. Eugene A. Stanley (1875-1936) was born and raised in New Hampshire and educated at Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery and Jefferson Medical College. He moved to Waterbury, Vermont in 1899, where he served as a health officer and assistant physician at the Vermont State Hospital from 1908 to 1918. He became Vermont State Hospital superintendent in 1918, succeeding Dr. Walter L. Wasson, who had perished in the influenza epidemic . Stanley held that position until his death in 1936. | Dr. Eugene A. Stanley (1875-1936) was born and raised in New Hampshire and educated at Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery and Jefferson Medical College. He moved to Waterbury, Vermont in 1899, where he served as a health officer and assistant physician at the Vermont State Hospital from 1908 to 1918. He became Vermont State Hospital superintendent in 1918, succeeding Dr. Walter L. Wasson, who had perished in the influenza epidemic . Stanley held that position until his death in 1936. | ||
| − | During Dr. Stanley's tenure at the Waterbury State Hospital, the patient population grew, peaking at 1,728 during the mid-1930s. In 1931, Stanley convinced the state legislature to construct a new three-story building for the growing number of "acutely disturbed female patients." By today's standards, treatment of patients was primitive, at times barbaric. Typically women in this ward and severe epileptic patients were tied to wooden benches with "camisoles," which secured their arms in back of them. Hydrotherapy, where patients were immersed in continuous baths or | + | During Dr. Stanley's tenure at the Waterbury State Hospital, the patient population grew, peaking at 1,728 during the mid-1930s. In 1931, Stanley convinced the state legislature to construct a new three-story building for the growing number of "acutely disturbed female patients." By today's standards, treatment of patients was primitive, at times barbaric. Typically women in this ward and severe epileptic patients were tied to wooden benches with "camisoles," which secured their arms in back of them. "Hydrotherapy," where patients were immersed in continuous cold water baths or wet packs, and "colonic irrigation" were standard treatments for disruptive patients; eventually electro-shock therapy and drug therapy replaced these treatments. |
More able patients assumed various roles in the work of the institution, including custodial work, maintenance, and tending animals and crops on the institution-run farm in Duxbury. Dr. Stanley also initiated a system of industrial work for patients: assembling clothespins, shoe repair, and crafts such as making chairs, rugs, and baskets. The profits from these enterprises were used for patient entertainment and recreation. | More able patients assumed various roles in the work of the institution, including custodial work, maintenance, and tending animals and crops on the institution-run farm in Duxbury. Dr. Stanley also initiated a system of industrial work for patients: assembling clothespins, shoe repair, and crafts such as making chairs, rugs, and baskets. The profits from these enterprises were used for patient entertainment and recreation. | ||
==Hurricane Irene== | ==Hurricane Irene== | ||
| − | In August 2011, hurricane Irene's flood waters flooded the valley which the closed complex stood. At one point the entire complex was underwater and partially destroyed by the hurricane. After the flood waters receded the campus was deemed unusable. The | + | In August 2011, hurricane Irene's flood waters flooded the valley which the closed complex stood. At one point the entire complex was underwater and partially destroyed by the hurricane. After the flood waters receded the campus was deemed unusable. The state of Vermont started accepting bids to demolish the complex and recycle its materials. Then in April 2014 demolition of the old hospital began. Afterword the state plans on building new state office complexes on the old site. |
== Books == | == Books == | ||
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<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
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File:Waterbbury, Vermont SH.jpg | File:Waterbbury, Vermont SH.jpg | ||
File:Waterbury VT.jpg | File:Waterbury VT.jpg | ||
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[[Category:Vermont]] | [[Category:Vermont]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Demolished Institution]] |
[[Category:Pavilion Plan]] | [[Category:Pavilion Plan]] | ||
[[Category:Asylum Books]] | [[Category:Asylum Books]] | ||
[[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] | [[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] | ||
