"I am absolutely stumped as to why such meticulous effort in the detail of the architecture / masonry was tended to, (aside from the typical styles of the period) knowing these structures were intended to house the insane. Nothing personal, but highly ornate construction for a " " ...
Perhaps the builders were related to the tenants?"
You're right, Aliester, and I apologize. I notice I do tend to get unjustifiably defensive when someone calls a mental health facility a "nuthouse" and wonders if someone who builds a lovely home for people with problems should therefore also be classified as having problems. That was a totally uncalled for observation on my part and I'll not say anything else. The floor is yours. :-)
Put your claws away Lynne. I thought personal opinion was allowed here. You saw no attitude toward the tenants ( called 'insane' because as Motts did note, this was an Insane Asylum). I see alot of commentary on this site, most of which is accepted as opinion without retort, and I notice also that you seem to be the only one who takes personal offense to the point of 'taking someone on'. No flames please.
That's not a mimeograph. It's a duplicator. a very small Offset press that used oil-base ink and water with electrostatic plates. Almost every office building from 1920 to 1969 had a few of these in the basement. I ran one of these for almost fifteen years (this one looks like it might be made by Multi-graphic, AB-Dick, or American Type Foundry.) you put the ink in the tray that is close to the camera, with all the adjusting scews, paper in the other side, the plate on the large chrome cylinder
noisy and smelly, but a required element in a pre-xerographic office.