4,081 Comments for Norwich State Hospital

I love this pic. Its too bad that I went there after it had been further vandalized, by friends of friends who do that stuff :(. The hospital has an interesting past, that I know, but I've failed to find any online references that go beyond statistics and opinions. Time is running short for me (deadlines and such), but if people have info... let me know.

(Also, what happened with the guys who was arrested for trying to start a fire there? and what of the "copper mining"... as it was referred to by some of my friends... the stealing of the copper piping in the tunnels for sale? any word on who was doing that? I've been so sheltered lately and haven't heard anything)

Yes i said "hugely". Not great for someone who's hoping for a free ride to college. Lets try "overwhelmingly". and it "put*** a smile on my face" not "but".
I hate trying to sound educated then screwing up, but hey, I'm still a teen, what do you expect?

Wow. Ok so, its been over a year and people still question, even when the matter has been pretty much resolved? haha. NOT for cremation. PROBABLY not for chickens. Only because of the building its located in.
Remember that it was a hospital, not a prison, or a hugely dark place. Tthere were other things that went on (such as the cleaning). Not everything is about death (although yes, I know it all leads to it). I'm surprised no one mentioned the baseball field and how this could have been storage for bats, balls, gloves, and uniforms. (just KIDDING. I'm mocking others, not being serious)

But really, this was an interesting conversation to read. And it but a smile on my face while trying to find info on a paper thats necessary to complete to finish the International Baccalaureate Program. (wish me luck)

Though I agree with you 167% Eileen. Before the mental health system could be re-invented as you put it... the citizens will have to be willing to pay more taxes.

It's truly a shame that the same people who complain about paying taxes will be the first to dial 9-1-1 and complain about homeless people talking to themselves or causing a disturbance or killing a loved one when problem could have been prevented in the first place.

These "freed" patients are suffering more now than those who were "prisoners" in the mental health systems darkest days.

I knew a couple of patients who were 'freed' from this facility when the doors were thrown open. They became confused, despondent, and homeless. The closing of such places was a grave injustice to many of those who needed & depended upon them. I believe the mental institution will have to be re-invented.

I think that they are crematories because patients did die there

I must say, I remember visiting my father at this hospital. The green painted walls still make me shiver. My Dad was in and out of this hospital from the 1960's thru the 1980's. I remember when he had to have shock therapy. I remember his slurring speach from the high dose of medication. I remember him introducing us kids ( my sister and brother and myself) to his friends. Some of the other patients were real scarey. I have not spoken about these memories. I am 44 years old now. My Dad passed away 5 years ago. I would like to walk through these hallways just one last time. Let some security punk tell ME that I can't be there! I would love to talk to others that have had relatives there.

Hi, if you wouldn't mind, I'd really like if you could give me some information about the hospital, especially the older buildings and the security situation. I plan to take pictures there and experience the place, but I'm scared to death of being charged with criminal trespassing if I get caught. It sounds like you got out in the nick of time anyway. My email is ryan5red@aol.com. I hope to hear from you.

It wasn't exactly modern pychotropic medicine at it's best.

In more modern times, they
gave all the patients, regardless of their
comditions, two major tranquilizers, Thorazine and Melleril...well, that must have kept it simple lol

Not "crematories" - positive.

I think these might be creamatories for the bodys but I cant be positive of that. Just a suggestion

Another thing that alot fo people dont know, but i grew up right down the road and it is also believed to be built on indian burial ground. i dont think it is becuse between the two tribes one of them would have had that property by now, but that land was once owned by tribal and who knows what crazy stuff happened... all i know is that everytime i drive past there it takes my breath away and i get this very uneasy feeling in my gut...

Kayla,
I've been told that the Salmon bldg was for the criminally insane, the Stribling bldg was used to house TB patients who were also mentally ill. I've been told that in the Lippitt Bldg is where they used to perform then "state of the art" medical procedures, such as the labodomy .

I find it interesting that these doors are in a mental health facility. When you look at the doors in these types of places they do not let the light in, they are not open in any substantial way and yet these allow so much contact between the patient and the staff. I just wonder what the thinking behind this particular type of door was.