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Founded by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1919, Lakin Hospital opened its doors on Feb. 1, 1926, with a purpose of, “the reception and treatment of blacks suffering from mental and nervous disorders.” The Lakin State Hospital was created under the same legislation proposed by T.G. Nutter, Harry Capehart and T.J. Coleman, three African American legislators that created several state-funded reform institutions for African Americans between 1919 and 1921, that also created the [[Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys]] across WV 62 from the hospital. The hospital, then named the ‘Lakin State Hospital for the Colored Insane,’ served patients from across the state. Although the institution’s original name reflected the era of segregation, it was a nontraditional facility with an all black staff, including administrators, and was one of what is believed to be only two all black mental health facilities east of the Mississippi River.  
 
Founded by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1919, Lakin Hospital opened its doors on Feb. 1, 1926, with a purpose of, “the reception and treatment of blacks suffering from mental and nervous disorders.” The Lakin State Hospital was created under the same legislation proposed by T.G. Nutter, Harry Capehart and T.J. Coleman, three African American legislators that created several state-funded reform institutions for African Americans between 1919 and 1921, that also created the [[Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys]] across WV 62 from the hospital. The hospital, then named the ‘Lakin State Hospital for the Colored Insane,’ served patients from across the state. Although the institution’s original name reflected the era of segregation, it was a nontraditional facility with an all black staff, including administrators, and was one of what is believed to be only two all black mental health facilities east of the Mississippi River.  
  
In 1950, Lakin was visited along with the [[Huntington State Hospital]] and [[Spencer State Hospital]] by Dr. William Freeman, sometimes called the "Father of the American Lobotomy".  During July and early August Dr. Freeman performed 228 lobotomies on patients at those facilities, including twenty 'very dangerous Negroes' at Lakin.<ref>[http://www.graveaddiction.com/lakin.html Brief history of Lakin]</ref>
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In 1950, Lakin was visited along with the [[Barboursville State Hospital]] and [[Spencer State Hospital]] by Dr. William Freeman, sometimes called the "Father of the American Lobotomy".  During July and early August Dr. Freeman performed 228 lobotomies on patients at those facilities, including twenty 'very dangerous Negroes' at Lakin.<ref>[http://www.graveaddiction.com/lakin.html Brief history of Lakin]</ref>
  
 
In 1954, Lakin State Hospital began the process of integrating it's staff and patient population.  It also assumed the duty of district hospital for Jackson, Mason, Putnam, and Wood counties in West Virginia.  In 1960 the facilities consisted of two three story main buildings (separated by gender), a two story office building, cannery, a new office/dietary complex constructed in 1959, two staff dormitories, physician housing, and a short term treatment medical center.  Along with those buildings, there were six older buildings that had been renovated structures serving as laundry, workshops, and recreation hall.  By 1960 psychosurgical procedures were no longer practiced, replaced by group and recreational therapy and psychotherapy.<ref>Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 44th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1960. Print.</ref>  However, the hospital did still offer electro-convulsive therapy and insulin coma therapy.<ref>Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 45th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1961. Print.</ref>
 
In 1954, Lakin State Hospital began the process of integrating it's staff and patient population.  It also assumed the duty of district hospital for Jackson, Mason, Putnam, and Wood counties in West Virginia.  In 1960 the facilities consisted of two three story main buildings (separated by gender), a two story office building, cannery, a new office/dietary complex constructed in 1959, two staff dormitories, physician housing, and a short term treatment medical center.  Along with those buildings, there were six older buildings that had been renovated structures serving as laundry, workshops, and recreation hall.  By 1960 psychosurgical procedures were no longer practiced, replaced by group and recreational therapy and psychotherapy.<ref>Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 44th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1960. Print.</ref>  However, the hospital did still offer electro-convulsive therapy and insulin coma therapy.<ref>Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 45th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1961. Print.</ref>

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