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Featured Article Of The Week
Norwich State Hospital
he Norwich State Hospital opened its doors in 1904 to the insane with ninety-five patients in one building on over 100 acres.
One of the hospital’s first superintendents believed that mechanical restraint of patients was preferable to medication and believed in hydrotherapy as a treatment measure. The hospital's board quickly realized the population was exceeding what was safe. In 1905, two patient buildings were built, with a third opening in 1907.
Thirteen buildings were erected for patients during the next eight years. In 1913, with a population of 998, an administration building, three cottages for physicians, a carpenter and maintenance shop, the main kitchen, garage, laboratory, staff house, and an employees’ clubhouse had been erected, and the inebriate farm and the Colony had been established.
Seven new buildings were built between 1920 and 1930; another was purchased for patients’ use. In 1929, the hospital peaked with 1,115 patients, while in 1930, the average daily census reached 2,422. In addition to new patient facilities, two more cottages were erected for physicians, a female employees’ home, a paint shop, a greenhouse, a superintendent’s residence, and two garages were built. Click here for more...
