Difference between revisions of "Gaebler Children's Center"

From Asylum Projects
Jump to: navigation, search
(History)
(Included further testimony found online and added a testimony section)
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
| alt =  
 
| alt =  
 
| caption =  
 
| caption =  
| established =
+
| established = 1954
 
| construction_began = 1955
 
| construction_began = 1955
 
| construction_ended =
 
| construction_ended =
Line 25: Line 25:
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
A 1945 Governor's report called attention to the fact that there were children as young as seven among the patient population at Metropolitan State Hospital. Nine years later in 1954, a dedicated children's unit was established at Metropolitan State Hospital, names after Dr. William C. Gaebler, the second superintendent at Metropolitan. The center was officially opened on October 8, 1955. In its time it was compared to the favorably to the children's unit at Rockland State Hospital in Orange County NY. Shortly before its closure, Gaebler was separated from Metropolitan State Hospital. It closed on January 31, 1992. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) closed the center as it was antiquated and could no longer serve the needs of the children it housed. According to the DMH, this closure coincided with the decision to place mentally ill children in community settings instead of in institutional settings. Others felt the center was closed due to budget cuts.
+
A 1945 Governor's report called attention to the fact that there were children as young as seven among the patient population at Metropolitan State Hospital. Nine years later in 1954, a dedicated children's unit was established at Metropolitan State Hospital, names after Dr. William C. Gaebler, the second superintendent at Metropolitan. The center was officially opened on October 8, 1955. Early reports compared it favorably to the only other dedicated children's unit at the time established some years before at Rockland State Hospital in Orange County NY. Shortly before its closure, Gaebler was separated as an administrative unit from Metropolitan State Hospital. It closed on January 31, 1992.
  
 
Demolition of the Gaebler Children's Center was completed in January 2011. The work cost the City of Waltham approximately $637,000. There are no current plans for the 55 acre lot.
 
Demolition of the Gaebler Children's Center was completed in January 2011. The work cost the City of Waltham approximately $637,000. There are no current plans for the 55 acre lot.
Line 39: Line 39:
 
File:efd0e9_62ff0554857a4dd78873be0a92895f52~mv2.jpg
 
File:efd0e9_62ff0554857a4dd78873be0a92895f52~mv2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Testimony==
 +
*[http://www.madpride.org/VFC10GaeblerHellandBack.htm Gaebler, Hell and Back. By Andrew Palmer]
 +
*[http://www.madpride.org/VFC10GaeblerApology.htm I'm Sorry, A Response to Gaebler, Hell and Back. By Jodi Bernstein]
 +
*[https://lostinnewenglanddotcom.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/lost-forever-but-not-in-our-minds-gaebler-childrens-center/ The comments to this article contain several first person testimonies]
 +
*[https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/life_members/news/life_members_wisdom_and_history_a_gift_in_my_life.pdf Article Dr. Donald Gair from superintendant from 1973-1989]
 +
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
*[https://www.metstate.com/gaebler Gaebler Children's Center]
 
*[https://www.metstate.com/gaebler Gaebler Children's Center]
*[http://www.madpride.org/VFC10GaeblerHellandBack.htm A moving testimony/report on the hospital.]
 
*March 03, 2010 - [[Council panel backs funding to demolish Gaebler Children's Center]]
 
 
*[http://creepychusetts.blogspot.com/2011/02/gaebler-childrens-center-waltham.html Progress of Demolition]
 
*[http://creepychusetts.blogspot.com/2011/02/gaebler-childrens-center-waltham.html Progress of Demolition]
  
 +
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
 
[[Category:Closed Institution]]
 
[[Category:Closed Institution]]
 
[[Category:Single Building Institutions]]
 
[[Category:Single Building Institutions]]
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:57, 29 May 2024

Gaebler Children's Center
Established 1954
Construction Began 1955
Opened 1955
Closed 1992
Demolished 2011
Current Status Demolished
Building Style Single Building
Alternate Names
  • Gaebler State Hospital
  • Gaebler Children's Psychiatric Unit



Gaebler Children's Center was a psychiatric institution for severely mentally ill children and adolescents, located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

History[edit]

A 1945 Governor's report called attention to the fact that there were children as young as seven among the patient population at Metropolitan State Hospital. Nine years later in 1954, a dedicated children's unit was established at Metropolitan State Hospital, names after Dr. William C. Gaebler, the second superintendent at Metropolitan. The center was officially opened on October 8, 1955. Early reports compared it favorably to the only other dedicated children's unit at the time established some years before at Rockland State Hospital in Orange County NY. Shortly before its closure, Gaebler was separated as an administrative unit from Metropolitan State Hospital. It closed on January 31, 1992.

Demolition of the Gaebler Children's Center was completed in January 2011. The work cost the City of Waltham approximately $637,000. There are no current plans for the 55 acre lot.

Images of Gaebler Children's Center[edit]

Main Image Gallery: Gaebler Children's Center


Testimony[edit]


Links[edit]