Comments

I've heard about the leaning, I'm no structural engineer but I think it might just be a bunch of BS. Many of these tall brick buildings built in the 1930's and beforehand have an outer layer of bricks which begin to crack and fall off, but they are still repairable. I've seen taller buildings whose facades were in worse shape be completely renovated into livable apartments. A lot of people will say that the place is too far gone to be repaired, take a look at the condition of other hospitals... ALL of the original Kirkbride at this site will be attempted to be saved. Think about that when someone says Danvers State or Kings Park is "too far gone".

I posted a link to the developer's website on the KPPC history page.

Me likey!

Someone in Mexico (me) would happily order 100 to give away as presents. Please please, do a book!

I hope not! There's an empty space on my coffee table specially set aside :-)

Spok, when originally designed, these places weren't designed to be scary or to punish those within their walls. The Victorians were comitted to rehabilitation and believed that removing the mentally disturbed from the vast overcrowded cities of the era and allowing them to recuperate in attractive buildings in the countryside was the most effective means of accomplishing this. Hence the sprawling, wooded grounds and incredible architecture of the 19th and early 20th century buildings.

Psychiatry was in its infancy and the emphasis was very much on 'reform' - contrast any Kirkbride with a prison of the same era, the architecture of which undeniably suggests punishment and brutality (and deterrence!) It was only later that the asylums became overcrowded through lack of funds and changing attitudes towards the mentally ill.

But bear in mind these places were built not to punish but with the intention of helping people get better - based on the limited knowledge of the time. Keep that in mind and suddenly beautiful Gothic spires and stained glass windows don't look at all out of place.

I relatively little of asylums and institutional care methods (perhaps Lynne or Anna can fill in the gaps!) but the Victorian and Edwardian periods are something of an interest of mine.

Rikki Tikki Tavi is a mongoose, Tony. Are you thinking of Rocky Raccoon?

Why haven't those been removed and stored away safely somewhere? Apart from anything else, they must be worth a few bob! I can imagine so many imbeciles wetting themselves with excitement at the prospect of destroying them with a well-praced rock :(

Is this part of the Kirkbride building or the 1900s part (I ask because that stained glass is almost Art Nouveau in design...)

A cabinet?

I wait with bated breath!!! You're not just saying this so we'll stop harassing you, are you?

Puddleboy, do you write from personal experience or are your sleuthing skills just second-to-none?

But yeah, I'm definitely with Lynne either way :-)

According to the newspaper link on the KPPC front page, this building is doomed whatever happens. It's developed a serious list and is pulling away from parts of the lower levels. Pieces of masonry have begun to fall from the upper storeys.

I'd imagine it would take some serious underpinning to stabilise Bldg 93, which considering that no-one's prepared to fund the abatement process looks somewhat unlikely. I wonder if gravity, rather than a wrecking ball, will bring this place down in the end? It's a tragedy that such a fate can be allowed to befall something this massive and imposing.

I agree with Lynne.....alTHOUGH......Sounds almost like you were there....hMMMM?....? ; )

Break out the ice skates!

Beautiful.

Store - short for storage