257 Comments Posted by MARIE, CMT

I drove by the Gaebler the other day, and you know what? If I was a millionare, I would rehab the place, hire competent professionals, including art and music therapists, and make it the best healing center for children in the world!

Hi y'all! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I went up to the old Kirkbride Administration building at WSH. It looked so sad, strange, and lonely there by itself. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they left one of the rotonda buildings standing by itself. It was the one to the left of the administration building. Also, further down the hill, to the left appeared to be another old stone building, possibly the nurses' residence. I was also happy to see that some of the doctors' old brick houses were still standing, far over to the left at the bottom of the hill. Some appeared to be boardered up. The newer psychiatric hopital was still there and in operation, called the Bryant Building I do believe. However, the REAL shocker was that to the right of the old admin, there is massive construction being done to build a large, new psychiatric hospital. I'm sure it will be modern and state of the art, but I wish they would build the old "castles" again.

This tuberculosis hospital must have been a lonely place for the patients, away from their families. Another type of "Quarantined" hospital that comes to mind, is the abandoned hospital on the south side of Ellis Island, known as the "Forgotten Ellis Island." (also known as islands 2 and 3) It is a place where they originally detained some immigrants and denied them entry into the United States due to possible diseases, including tuberculosis, between 1892-1954. Very sad. The poor denied souls had a view of the Statue of Liberty, but could not experience Her freedom by entering its shores. About 1% of the immigration population fell into this catagory. The photographer, Steven Wilkes, has captured the hauntingly beautiful ruins of this hospital in a photo book. Mr. Motts, you too, should produce a book featuring your fine photographs.

Cool shot! It's a shame that these old parks are left to decay...at least "StoryLand" and "Santa's Village" still exist.

This looks like a birdcage...for humans! : )

On one more note, there's a possible relative of mine that dates way back from the turn of the century that is buried in the old Danvers State Hospital cemetery...may God rest her soul as well.

I would never be embarrased about a family member in a mental institution-they need our prayers, not our shame. Family counts no matter what the circumstances. In fact, I had an much older cousin (she's dead now, God rest her soul) that lived at the Kirkbride at Worcester State Hospital. She suffered from Major Depression. I also had an aunt who was hospitalized for a short time for depression. She even had electro-shock therapy twice! Once in the 50's and another, by her own request, in the 70's. For her, amazingly, it snapped her out of the depression.

Talk about EXTREME juxtapostion! : )

I must say, Mr. Motts, that this school for girls is the scariest building that I've ever seen in my life! It looks surreal, like a house of horrors in a movie. I also went to an all Girls Catholic high school, and believe me, it looked nothing like this! It's a real shame that they did not perserve it.

@blackrose-Your parents made the right decision to keep you-God Bless them! I'm glad you survived and hope you're doing well. : )

Again, another very sad shot of a baby crib. How could a baby so young be institutionalized. : ( I would keep the baby no matter what!

This picture cuts to the very core of my heart...that poor baby! I love ALL babies-that's why I'm pro-life.

Those chairs are in good shape-they should be reused.

This is a great place to dance under the stars!

Pretty colors!