Preservation Alert
Fergus Falls State Hospital
The Fergus Falls town council is considering plans to demolish most of the historically listed Kirkbride building.
The state sold the Kirkbride and grounds to the city of Fergus Falls in 2007, and two years later, the facility closed. It has remained vacant ever since. Between 2002 and 2006, the Legislature approved $7 million in bond funds to dispose of the Kirkbride or invest in its infrastructure. The current deadline to use the funds expires in December 2014 but could be extended with legislative action. City officials claim it takes about 18 months to initiate the complicated demolition process. About $5 million of the original funds remains, since much of the facility's asbestos already has been removed. On three occasions since 2000, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has put the Kirkbride on its annual "Ten Most-Endangered Historic Places List," noting that the Fergus Falls Kirkbride facility is one of the few of its kind left intact in the Midwest.
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How can you help?
More Information
- Fergus Falls State Hospital Wiki Page
- Fergus Falls State Hospital @ Kirkbride Buildings
- Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
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Worcester State Hospital
The last remaining sections of the Worcester State Hospital kirkbride are in danger of demolition!
The fate of the historic Clock Tower is precarious because of a ruling by the National Park Service that the structure does not quality for Historic Tax Credits. A meeting was held at Preservation Worcester on July 27, 2011 with Carole Cornelison, Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), eight additional DCAM employees, Barbara Leadholm, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health (DMH), an additional DMH employee, Brandee Laughlin (Massachusetts Historical Commission), Drew Leff (GLC Development Resources). Michele Barker (Preservation Massachusetts) and 7 Preservation Worcester affiliated representatives. At that meeting, updates were given on the Clock Tower and the new psychiatric hospital. We were informed that because of the condition of the Clock Tower and the expenses associated with redevelopment or stabilization, DCAM plans to demolish the Clock Tower prior to the opening of the new psychiatric hospital, scheduled to open in 2012.
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UPDATE
As of January 2013 demolition of the administration section of the Kirkbride has begun. The clock was dismantled, presumably to be reassembled later on.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN THE FORUMS!
How can you help?
- "Like" the Save WSH Clock Tower Facebook page
- Sign the online petition to save the clock tower
- Send a letter to your state elected officials
More Information
- Worcester State Hospital Wiki Page
- Worcester State Hospital @ Kirkbride Buildings
- Worcester State Hospital @ Historic Asylums
- Worcester State Hospital @ Wikipedia
- Worcester State Hospital Aerials
- Worcester State Hospital Photos by Dillon Photography
- Worcester State Hospital Photos by Opacity
- This Old Madhouse The fight to save a relic of a less-enlightened time
- Good photos of the 2008 Demolition
- Some good pictures of the hospital
- Info on the new hospital
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