Monson Developmental Center

Monson Developmental Center
Established	1852
Opened	1854
Current Status	Active
Building Style	Cottage Plan
Location	Monson, MA
Peak Patient Population	1,700 in 1968
Alternate Names	State Almshouse at Monson Monson Sanitarium Massachusetts State Hospital for Epileptics Monson State Hospital

History

The State Almshouse at Monson, MA provided residence for paupers without settlement [legal residence] in the Commonwealth from 1854 to 1872. The State Primary School opened at the almshouse in 1866 and continued after its closing until 1895, providing lodging, instruction, and employment for dependent and neglected children under age sixteen without settlement in the Commonwealth and some juvenile offenders. In 1879 there was a total of 443 children, 99 of whom were females between the ages of 5 and 12. Children participated in work-related activities, including sewing, laundry and farming. Studies in school included bible stories, Edward’s 1st-4th Reader, geography, arithmetic, writing, grammar, physiology and history. Discipline was as parental as possible. Children were subsequently adopted, indentured or fostered out of the institution.

The closing was announced in December 2008 as part of a cost-cutting move and a push by the state to relocate developmentally disabled residents into community-based group homes, intended to mirror home environments more closely. At that time, there were 137 severely disabled residents living there, and 403 employees. Closure is expected in early 2013.

Images

Main Image Gallery: Monson Developmental Center

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