Editing Norristown State Hospital
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| construction_ended = | | construction_ended = | ||
| opened = 1880 | | opened = 1880 | ||
− | | closed = | + | | closed = |
| demolished = | | demolished = | ||
| current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]] | | current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]] | ||
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*Penn Foundation Mental Health Clinic- 807 Lawn Ave. Sellersville, PA | *Penn Foundation Mental Health Clinic- 807 Lawn Ave. Sellersville, PA | ||
'''Bucks County Clinics''' | '''Bucks County Clinics''' | ||
− | *Lenape Valley | + | *Lenape Valley Menteal Health Clinic- 500 North West St., Doylestown, PA |
*Penndel Mental Health Center- 1517 Durham Rd., Penndel, PA | *Penndel Mental Health Center- 1517 Durham Rd., Penndel, PA | ||
*Northwestern Human Services of Newportville- 4404 Sunset Ave., Newportville, PA | *Northwestern Human Services of Newportville- 4404 Sunset Ave., Newportville, PA | ||
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Since 1989, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has Closed approximately 1300 state hospital beds, as part of their 'Community Hospital Integration Project Plans' (CHIPPs). The intention has long been the total closure of the state hospital system, which had been moving forward with haste in the past twenty years. Locally, Philadelphia State Hospital was closed in 1989 after several lawsuits. Haverford State Hospital was closed in 1998 under similar terms. The commonwealth also closed the doors on Allentown State Hospital in 2010 and Harrisburg State Hospital in 2006, leaving a remaining handful of sites active. The civilian population at Norristown has been on a strategic decline; 410 beds in 2001, 366 beds in 2002, 306 beds in 2003, 304 beds in 2004, 304 in 2005, 304 in 2006, 294 in 2007, 264 beds in 2008, 234 beds in 2009 and 204 beds in 2010. There have been serious talks about a closure of the civilian division of the state hospital, with the intent to divert their acute population into local long-term structured residences (LTSR), but that has yet to materialize. | Since 1989, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has Closed approximately 1300 state hospital beds, as part of their 'Community Hospital Integration Project Plans' (CHIPPs). The intention has long been the total closure of the state hospital system, which had been moving forward with haste in the past twenty years. Locally, Philadelphia State Hospital was closed in 1989 after several lawsuits. Haverford State Hospital was closed in 1998 under similar terms. The commonwealth also closed the doors on Allentown State Hospital in 2010 and Harrisburg State Hospital in 2006, leaving a remaining handful of sites active. The civilian population at Norristown has been on a strategic decline; 410 beds in 2001, 366 beds in 2002, 306 beds in 2003, 304 beds in 2004, 304 in 2005, 304 in 2006, 294 in 2007, 264 beds in 2008, 234 beds in 2009 and 204 beds in 2010. There have been serious talks about a closure of the civilian division of the state hospital, with the intent to divert their acute population into local long-term structured residences (LTSR), but that has yet to materialize. | ||
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== First Female Physician == | == First Female Physician == | ||
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Hospital staff were themselves not safe from abuse at the hands of hospital administrators of the mid-20th century. It is noted that during the 1948 fiscal year, six hundred staff members were hired for direct care of patients on various units. However, within the year three hundred and fifty resigned their posts, and nearly two hundred were fired. By many superintendent's admission, the task of working with the mentally ill was taxing, and presented: low pay, extended hours of the work week, little recreation and substandard housing for employees. However, often times the welfare of the attendants was also dubious, as the commonwealth placed a number of their employees in hazardous situations due to financial constraints.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_7PEgVCPDh8C&pg=PA536&dq=norristown+state+hospital&hl=en&sa=X&ei=av3dUOSbNOqP0QG58oGYCg&ved=0CGgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=norristown%20state%20hospital&f=false</ref> | Hospital staff were themselves not safe from abuse at the hands of hospital administrators of the mid-20th century. It is noted that during the 1948 fiscal year, six hundred staff members were hired for direct care of patients on various units. However, within the year three hundred and fifty resigned their posts, and nearly two hundred were fired. By many superintendent's admission, the task of working with the mentally ill was taxing, and presented: low pay, extended hours of the work week, little recreation and substandard housing for employees. However, often times the welfare of the attendants was also dubious, as the commonwealth placed a number of their employees in hazardous situations due to financial constraints.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_7PEgVCPDh8C&pg=PA536&dq=norristown+state+hospital&hl=en&sa=X&ei=av3dUOSbNOqP0QG58oGYCg&ved=0CGgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=norristown%20state%20hospital&f=false</ref> | ||
<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=MHkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA490&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a </ref><ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_29NAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA221&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a</ref> | <ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=MHkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA490&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a </ref><ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_29NAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA221&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a</ref> | ||
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== Layout of the Campus == | == Layout of the Campus == | ||
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Building #1 '''Female Acute Ward Building'''- Active; the original was demolished in the 1960's and rebuilt across the street as an active inpatient unit for the state hospital. The original building #1 was a red brick structure with an interior courtyard built in 1883. It was the only building from the original complex not to be finished on schedule because of a lack of funds. The current structure of Building #1 is made from white bricks and a limestone facade, with a more contemporary design. It is sometimes referred to as 'Lenape Hall'. The Toggery shop is still active and open to the public. This building houses a theater and an indoor pool. | Building #1 '''Female Acute Ward Building'''- Active; the original was demolished in the 1960's and rebuilt across the street as an active inpatient unit for the state hospital. The original building #1 was a red brick structure with an interior courtyard built in 1883. It was the only building from the original complex not to be finished on schedule because of a lack of funds. The current structure of Building #1 is made from white bricks and a limestone facade, with a more contemporary design. It is sometimes referred to as 'Lenape Hall'. The Toggery shop is still active and open to the public. This building houses a theater and an indoor pool. | ||
− | Building #2 '''Female Ward Building'''- | + | Building #2 '''Female Ward Building'''- Active; currently houses the Regional Mental Health Resource Coordination Office of Southeast Pennsylvania. It was built in 1880 and was originally designed to accommodate mid-acuity patients for the Female Department. |
Building #3 '''Female Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Female Department. | Building #3 '''Female Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Female Department. | ||
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Building #4 '''Female Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for low-acuity patients for the Female Department. | Building #4 '''Female Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for low-acuity patients for the Female Department. | ||
− | Building #5 '''Male Ward Building'''- Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for low-acuity patients for the Male Department. In more recent years it was leased for offices by the Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation (PHMCC). | + | Building #5 '''Male Ward Building'''- Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for low-acuity patients for the Male Department. In more recent years it was leased for offices by the Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation (PHMCC). |
− | Building #6 '''Male Ward Building'''- Partially Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Male Department. The back of the building is still active and is leased by HopeWorx for the Consumer Satisfaction Team. | + | Building #6 '''Male Ward Building'''- Partially Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Male Department. The back of the building is still active and is leased by HopeWorx for the Consumer Satisfaction Team. |
Building #7 '''Male Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Male Department. It is now a community garden. | Building #7 '''Male Ward Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1880 and was originally used for mid-acuity patients for the Male Department. It is now a community garden. | ||
− | Building #8 '''Male Acute Ward Building'''- Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and demolished in 1937, rebuilt that same year as a new ward for high acuity patients. | + | Building #8 '''Male Acute Ward Building'''- Abandoned; It was built in 1880 and demolished in 1937, rebuilt that same year as a new ward for high acuity patients. |
[[File:NSH2.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Female Infirmary, 1893]] | [[File:NSH2.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Female Infirmary, 1893]] | ||
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Building #10 '''Female Hydro-therapy Building'''- Active; The original was built in 1887 and originally it was designated as the male infirmary ward until 1937 when medical procedures were conducted in the medical-surgical building. It replaced the prior one story co-ed infirmary on the grounds. It was demolished in the late 1950's and replaced with the new Building #10, also known as Pennsylvania House', and acts as an inpatient unit for the current state hospital. | Building #10 '''Female Hydro-therapy Building'''- Active; The original was built in 1887 and originally it was designated as the male infirmary ward until 1937 when medical procedures were conducted in the medical-surgical building. It replaced the prior one story co-ed infirmary on the grounds. It was demolished in the late 1950's and replaced with the new Building #10, also known as Pennsylvania House', and acts as an inpatient unit for the current state hospital. | ||
− | Building #11 Unknown- A brief report from 1907 stated that Ward #11 had "a destructive fire [that] almost destroyed ward building No. 11. Fortunately, the fire occurred early in the evening and by prompt action all the inmates were saved and no one was injured." However, its fate was never specified. There is a current Building #11, known as 'York House'; however, it too appears to be abandoned. | + | Building #11 Unknown- A brief report from 1907 stated that Ward #11 had "a destructive fire [that] almost destroyed ward building No. 11. Fortunately, the fire occurred early in the evening and by prompt action all the inmates were saved and no one was injured." However, its fate was never specified. There is a current Building #11, known as 'York House'; however, it too appears to be abandoned. |
Building #12 '''Female Acute Ward'''- currently houses nursing administration and the psychology department; Also known as 'Benjamin Rush'. It was active until fairly recently as an inpatient unit for the state hospital. | Building #12 '''Female Acute Ward'''- currently houses nursing administration and the psychology department; Also known as 'Benjamin Rush'. It was active until fairly recently as an inpatient unit for the state hospital. | ||
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Building #16 '''Female Convalescent Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1907 for $50,000, and boasted that it had enough beds for seventy female patients. The term 'Convalescent' was used in the period for what was then known as "shell-shock" or "Railroad Spine", subdivisions of [[Neurosis]]. Re-purposed in the early 1970's as a private psychiatric respite program. It was abandoned in 1988, and demolished in 2009. | Building #16 '''Female Convalescent Building'''- Demolished; It was built in 1907 for $50,000, and boasted that it had enough beds for seventy female patients. The term 'Convalescent' was used in the period for what was then known as "shell-shock" or "Railroad Spine", subdivisions of [[Neurosis]]. Re-purposed in the early 1970's as a private psychiatric respite program. It was abandoned in 1988, and demolished in 2009. | ||
− | Building #17 '''Acute Admission Building'''- Abandoned; when it was active it was used to filter some of the more acute patients coming onto the grounds. However, it has not seen active use since the early 1970's. | + | Building #17 '''Acute Admission Building'''- Abandoned; when it was active it was used to filter some of the more acute patients coming onto the grounds. However, it has not seen active use since the early 1970's. |
− | Building #18 '''Superintendent's House'''- | + | Building #18 '''Superintendent's House'''- Abandoned; used to accommodate the lodgings of the superintendent, and thus never keeping him far from his work. It was at a later time used as a doctor's lounge by hospital staff and was active well into the 1990's. |
Building #19 '''Administration Building'''- Active; Built in 1878 and is still used as the primary office for the state hospital's administration since 1880. Their entrance way is decorated with old photos and portraits of superintendents. The famous cupola was removed as a cost-cutting measure sometime in the familiar past, but no date has been specified. | Building #19 '''Administration Building'''- Active; Built in 1878 and is still used as the primary office for the state hospital's administration since 1880. Their entrance way is decorated with old photos and portraits of superintendents. The famous cupola was removed as a cost-cutting measure sometime in the familiar past, but no date has been specified. | ||
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Building #43 '''Greenhouse'''- Active; Built in 1887, but replaced several times. It is still used by the state hospital for the sale of produce on Wednesdays and Thursdays. | Building #43 '''Greenhouse'''- Active; Built in 1887, but replaced several times. It is still used by the state hospital for the sale of produce on Wednesdays and Thursdays. | ||
− | Building #45 '''Old Superintendent's House'''- Active; Possibly the oldest building on the campus, with no specified date of construction. It served as the home of the superintendent until 1908. It was re-appropriated as a residence for doctors thereafter, particularly residents. It is currently being leased to a Crisis Residential Program. | + | Building #45 '''Old Superintendent's House'''- Active; Possibly the oldest building on the campus, with no specified date of construction. It served as the home of the superintendent until 1908. It was re-appropriated as a residence for doctors thereafter, particularly residents. It is currently being leased to a Crisis Residential Program. |
Building #46 '''Gate House'''- Demolished; used to monitor visitors to the grounds until other gates were opened in 1936. It stood as the original location of state hospital security. | Building #46 '''Gate House'''- Demolished; used to monitor visitors to the grounds until other gates were opened in 1936. It stood as the original location of state hospital security. | ||
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Building #61 ''' Power Station'''- Active; This is fairly modern and is a power station for the remaining active buildings. | Building #61 ''' Power Station'''- Active; This is fairly modern and is a power station for the remaining active buildings. | ||
− | == | + | == Norristown State Hospital in the News == |
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*[http://articles.philly.com/1999-06-20/news/25497692_1_czajkowski-shot-nursing-board-carol-sue-kepner From a helping hand to a hostage-taker Norristown State Hospital Officials Fired Registered Nurse Denis P. Czajkowski In April. Last Week, He Shot His Way Back In] | *[http://articles.philly.com/1999-06-20/news/25497692_1_czajkowski-shot-nursing-board-carol-sue-kepner From a helping hand to a hostage-taker Norristown State Hospital Officials Fired Registered Nurse Denis P. Czajkowski In April. Last Week, He Shot His Way Back In] | ||
*[http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-09/news/33119366_1_psychiatric-unit-beds-norristown-state-hospital Facing a contempt hearing, state transfers man from Norristown psychiatric unit] | *[http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-09/news/33119366_1_psychiatric-unit-beds-norristown-state-hospital Facing a contempt hearing, state transfers man from Norristown psychiatric unit] | ||
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== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
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* [http://www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/statehospitals/norristownstatehospital/index.htm#.VkrHvb_zjG8 Official State Website] | * [http://www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/statehospitals/norristownstatehospital/index.htm#.VkrHvb_zjG8 Official State Website] | ||
* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~asylums/norristown_pa/index.html Historic Photographs of Norristown State Hospital] | * [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~asylums/norristown_pa/index.html Historic Photographs of Norristown State Hospital] | ||
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* [http://www.fivecountymh.org/docs/final%203.18.10%20SE%20SAP%20presentation%20County%20and%20SMH.pdf Norristown State Hospital- Presentation of 2000 to 2010 in review] | * [http://www.fivecountymh.org/docs/final%203.18.10%20SE%20SAP%20presentation%20County%20and%20SMH.pdf Norristown State Hospital- Presentation of 2000 to 2010 in review] | ||
* [http://www.farmpark.org/history_of_land.htm History of Norristown Farm Park] | * [http://www.farmpark.org/history_of_land.htm History of Norristown Farm Park] | ||
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== Other Historic Adjacent Facilities == | == Other Historic Adjacent Facilities == | ||
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*William F. Waugh, A,M., M.D. (1888) Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 628, 669–670, 695–699, 708. | *William F. Waugh, A,M., M.D. (1888) Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 628, 669–670, 695–699, 708. | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
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+ | == Images of Norristown State Hospital == | ||
+ | {{image gallery|[[Norristown State Hospital Image Gallery|Norristown State Hospital]]}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | <gallery> | ||
+ | File:Norristown 01.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 02.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 03.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 04.jpg | ||
+ | FIle:Norristown 05.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 06.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 07.jpg | ||
+ | File:Norristown 08.jpg | ||
+ | |||
+ | </gallery> | ||