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This Press is very similiar to a 500 ton we still use. 500 ton being the max stamping force. Though we often have tricks to exceed this. These old presses are well built. Ours is built 8 feet into the floor mostly for support. also an air cussion is housed below. This one is missing parts. The lower bolster "table" is gone, as are the upper crankshafts and motorr. Probably sold as spares.

Stamp a big heavy old fender, No problem!

All right, Bri! :-)

Yes, they are handrails for people to lean on or use for support while walking in case their balance is off or they have other difficulties ambulating independently.

In response to some of the comments and questions , I can tell you that the records did not contain that much detailed information about the patients. Back in the old days written records did not require much detail. Records would contain brief notes about daily living. Medication wasn't even used back then to treat mental illness the way it is today. I know this because I helped with the archiving of many of the old records.

Thanks Bander, I was wondering when the Kirk was closed, I only knew the date of the entire facility's closure.

I feel I must comment on this incredible building. I had the privledge to work for Danvers State Hospital . Just for information purposes the Kirkbride building had been vacant since the early 1970's, not 1992. Patients were transferred to another building, the Bonner Medical Building on the grounds early 1970's. So the Kirkbride has been neglected since that time.

Thought inspiring quote.
I have told my husband and children that donating one's body is not only intended for those who have no means to provide an expensive, showy funeral. It is an honorable thing for individuals to do!
I have told my kids, that a Mass could still be said, and that after all that can be learned from a cadaver is learned, the remains are returned to the family to be buried, so there is a place the family can go to pray and visit.
I have made my wishes clear and written it all down!
I am assuming that the medical community would want a slightly chubby, 50'ish Mom, whose drapes don't match the carpet!

Unless things have changed recently, Office of Mental Health police do patrol the grounds (as it is still an active state psychiatric hospital), and the scrapper guys who keep an eye on the abandoned buildings do take matters to the police.

OMG that is the creepiest thing i have ever seen...

That is a relay panel for an Elevator Controller. The relays pop in and out to trigger stops and doors on each floor. The more floors you have the larger these panels are.

My guess is that they were used if someone needed help standing or getting down the hallway...they can be seen in nursing homes and even hospitals and my other guess is that they were on both sides of the hall...not just the right. So basically, they are a "shoulder to lean on" of sorts.

Does anyone know what the function of those wooden ballet barre looking things mounted to all the walls by the windows were....just like what it shown on the right side wall in this picture? I noticed them all over the adult building, and neither myself or my friend could figure it out.

I have just recently been doing research on these places,what great pictures you have taken,I live near Pittsburgh where there was also a place called Dixmont,the owner has also sold out to corporate America and the place will be replaced with a Super Wal-Mart,as if we don't have enough already,what about all of the history,of these places,I think it is truly sad,these places need to be saved and made into museums.Or at least the gorunds preserved.Lookig forward to you next update.

They may have locked it but regardless the tunnels are extremely flooded and not worth going in as far as I'm concerned. Last I knew, the water was about waist deep and it could be worse now, that is just asking for disaster.

There are a few buildings that are still up that you can visit, people please Email me at Darkstarhero@mail.com

I'm a 17 year old kid that grew up in Deer Park off of stories and pictures of Pilgrim. I visited there for my first time a couple of months ago, it's so gorgeous and all of you speak about you used to work there and you know patients that were in there, it's all so interesting. If you can, email me at Darkstarhero@mail.com thanks.