1,384 Comments for Gaebler Children's Center

I WAS THERE 76-77 AND I DO REMEMBER RUNNING AROUND IN THIS GYM AS A YOUNG 9 YEAR OLD. TODAY I LOOK BACK ON THIS EXPIERIENCE AND I CAN TELL YOU I DID NOT BELONG THERE, IT WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE MY MOM SAID SHE EVER MADE.TODAY IM DOING VERY WELL COLLEGE EDUCATED PLAYED COLLEGE FOOTBALL THE HOLE NINE YARDS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I LOCK UP PEOPLE FOR A LIVING WHICH ARE CROOKS AND BAD GUYS WHICH MAKES IT EASY. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT SPENT TIME THERE .

I WAS THERE 76-77 AS A VERY YOUNG CHILD I REMEMBERED IT TO BE VERY DIRTY AND VERY UNHUMAN AND I THINK ONE COUNCELOR WAS MOLESTING KIDS THERE, TODAY IM COLLEGE EDUCATED AND IM ENJOYING A GREAT CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT PLACE UNTIL THE DAY I DIE

I was there in 88 til right before it closed. THis picture is the room where we would have " beat the clock' and " snack shop. The room to the right was where they kept our money that we earned. ANyone remember Dallas and Daine? Also going in one of the other doors led to where they would have some knd of cooking theraputic class also notice the piano? I remeber a woman who use to give piano lessons on that. Also this is the room where we used to play BINGO

This looks like my room. I believe it was the little girls dorm on ward A. That was were I was. There was an exit door that could not be opened on the other side and a exit sign up above it. I remembered jumping up and grabbing it to pick myself up and kick Matt the staff guy off of me before he grabbed me to restrain me for talking in the corner. Brings back bad memories. Glad it is gone.

I was on A ward. I use to rollerskate in the gym. I fell once and got sent to the hospital for stitches. I was in there early to mid 80's. Does anyone remember the game of the pats versus gaebler. I got to go to the game off grounds. I got the pats autographs too. That was the only good thing I could remember. John I remember Willie. He was real tall black guy with graying hair full beard. He was real nice. I still remember the names of the staff people on my ward. You remember when we went crazy when were not gonna take it by twisted sister came on. We all went off together. They eventually wouldn't let us listen to it. I remember the puke green mattresses. I used to stand it up against the wall and beat the shit out of it. I smashed my knuckles on the walls.

i was at gaebler children's center from the age of 9 till i was 14 year's old and the day that i heard that that prison closed i was very very happy for me it was hell and thank god i recovered from all the horrible things i had done to me while i was there it was hell

how boring must it be for kids in waltham

When looking at these paintings, think back to the first image of the room with the jungle painting on the wall and cieling. When you clean up the place in your mind and imagine what it could have been like with the children in it, it does make some sense.

Although they look creepy now, I can see how these paintings would provide some form of comfort and possibly even a feeling of normallcy for the children. You have to figure someone actually took the time to paint them by hand. You will find paintings with inaccuracies like this in daycares and school throughout the country. Frankly, I have no explanation for Ernie's pigtails. (^^;

I like the shape of the light and shadows in this one, very nice.

My name and date would be in the last room on the right, down the mid length hallway that has the door directly at the end on Ward B, it would be JD '73 or '74, might even say John.
Would be on the wall to the left as you enter the room.
Some will be written like "was here '73".
Just food for thought for anyone else wanting to look for more history.

If anyone does anymore pictures, the best places to find where we wrote our names and dates are on the inside of the seclusion doors, around the windows in the seclusion rooms and above the door in the seclusion rooms.
You may find some names and dates in the bathrooms too as well as the shower room.

I need to make a correction here.
On the 1st floor when I said take a right, it should be a left. I need to start proof reading before I hit submit.
So coming from the stairwell you take a left and go down the small flight of stairs which has the door to the print shop and woodshop directly in front with the cafetiere door to the right.

There are classrooms up on the 4th floor that
was used by the children housed on Ward B.
They did keep the children from Ward B separated from the teenagers on Wards D and
E.
The medical and dental was also on the 4th floor.
That's the basic "tour" of Gaebler.
Although there is a rumor of a tunnel somewhere in the basement that is supposed
to connect to Metro, I have never seen it, nor have I ever been in the basement.

and yes, there is a small flight of stairs at this end of the hallway too that leads into the large room used for coffee hour.