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Hospital for Women, USA
The State Hospital for Women was built in the 1910s, to treat “feeble-minded” woman. Today this included cognitive and some neurophysiological disabilities. This archaic medical term also included general learning disabilities. Initially, the institute housed around thirty-five residents.
They all lived in a single cottage. The hospital quickly expanded; this included the construction of 6 more cottages. This allowed the accommodation of 500 patients. Eventually, over 700 female residents lived in this isolated retreat.
We visited this location during the first half of our USA 2018 Road Trip.
Self-contained community
The hospital was a self-sufficient community, and included a fully working farm. This formed part of the education and training of the women. This scheme aimed to prepare them for work in the domestic sector or agriculture. At this time, the accepted medical theories for treating these patients were repetitive daily tasks. Additionally, “plain surroundings” were mandatory. Supposedly, minimizing distractions enabled them to focus on the tasks assigned. Another common feature of these types of institutes was the isolation of the patients from the general community. Certainly, this explains the hospital’s remote location.
Originally male patients were not admitted. This changed in the 1960s. Subsequently, the facility became recognized as a fully-fledged hospital. By the 1960s, the facility had become the largest employer in the township.
Closure of the Hospital for Women
Eventually, the hospital closed in the late 1990s. This was partly due to changing economic factors in the state. The 200 patients relocated to other facilities. There are plans filed to regenerate the site. This former mental institution may become a resort and conference center. A championship-length golf course is in the planning stage. Additionally, there will be an indoor pool, a health spa. The former residence cottages will become condominiums and corporate accommodation. Time will tell if these plans come to fruition.
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