Luxury Apartments Now Sit Where New England’s Largest Mental Hospital Once Stood

Danvers State Hospital

The massive brick buildings of Danvers State Hospital dominated the Massachusetts skyline for more than a century. What started as a hopeful experiment in treating mental illness became something much darker as patient numbers soared and resources dwindled.

Thousands of people called this place home, willingly or not. Here’s the complex story of New England’s former asylum.

Healing Through Architecture

Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride believed building design could cure mental illness. His revolutionary approach became known as the Kirkbride Plan.

Each wing allowed patients access to fresh air and countryside views, considered essential for recovery.

When Dr. May Set a New Standard

Dr. Calvin S. May arrived at Danvers on January 26, 1878, after serving at Connecticut Hospital for the Insane.

He wanted to rehabilitate patients rather than simply confine them. This philosophy marked a shift from warehousing the mentally ill to treating them.

The first patient walked through the doors on May 13, 1878. May prohibited physical restraints, an unusual policy for mental institutions of that era.

Early Years Without Physical Restraints

Danvers initially focused on humane treatment methods, unlike other asylums.

Patients spent time outdoors gardening and exercising in the fresh air. These activities aligned with contemporary theories about natural settings promoting mental healing.

The hospital established a nursing training program in 1889. By 1895, a pathological research laboratory opened to study mental illnesses scientifically.

The Patients Who Built Their Own Hospital

Danvers patients actively participated in hospital operations through occupational therapy. In 1913, they dug tunnels connecting various buildings across the campus.

Patient labor continued in 1917 when they constructed a slaughterhouse using concrete blocks they manufactured themselves. Many made shoes and created crafts as part of their therapy.

Hospital administrators displayed patient-made items at the Boston Mechanics Hall Textile Show in 1916. By 1899, the hospital employed 125 staff and had treated 9,500 patients.

Extreme Overcrowding

Architects designed Danvers to house 450-500 patients maximum. By the 1930s, more than 2,000 people crowded into every available space.

Staff placed patients in basements and attics due to severe overcrowding. The crisis peaked in 1939 when 278 people died at the hospital.

Massachusetts launched a statewide investigation in 1938, during which they discovered that eight patients had been killed by fellow patients at Medfield and Danvers State Hospitals.

Lobotomies and Electric Shock Change Treatment

Doctors performed the first lobotomy at Danvers in 1948, which involved cutting connections to the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Electric shock therapy was then introduced in the 1950s.

Medical experts later dubbed Danvers the birthplace of the prefrontal lobotomy due to its widespread use.

Budget Cuts Begin a Slow Closure

State budget cuts in the 1960s started Danvers’ decline. The financial pressure coincided with a national shift toward community-based mental healthcare.

Hospital officials closed the first wards in 1969, starting with buildings furthest from the central administration. By then, the campus stretched across 500 acres with 40 buildings.

Governor William Weld’s commission recommended closing Danvers in 1991. This aligned with Weld’s goal of privatizing state services.

June 24, 1992: The Last Patient Leaves

Danvers State Hospital closed permanently on June 24, 1992. Staff transferred remaining patients to Tewksbury Hospital, ending 114 years of operation.

The abandoned hospital stood empty for 13 years as nature reclaimed the campus.

The Danvers State Hospital Today

Danvers State Hospital now exists as Avalon Danvers apartments at 1101 Kirkbride Drive in Danvers, Massachusetts.

The two patient cemeteries on Newbury Street in Danvers allow respectful visits during daylight hours.

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