Boston State Hospital History

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The history of mental institutions can be tracked back to the 19th century. The maltreatment of people with mental illnesses in prisons inspired the creation of mental institution to treat theses individuals. However, in the 20th century budget cuts lead to a decrease in services for the mentally ill. By the 1960’s mental institutions were starting to be completely deinstitutionalized. Now the Department of Corrections holds any inmates who suffer from hundreds of mental illnesses and addictions. Homelessness and over population has become a direct result in deinstitutionalization.
The very first Psychiatric Hospital to open was in the late 1700’s. Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia. This hospital opened in October 12, 1773 and …show more content…
During the first year housed 164 patients. Boston State Hospital, founded in 1839 and closed in 1987. This hospital was also referred to as the “Boston Lunatic Asylum”. This hospital would soon house over 3,000 patients going over the institutions capacity. This asylum housed both men and woman in separate building. Theses are just a few of the hospitals that were opening and growing. Mental illnesses were becoming something real and affecting our societies, communities, and even families. It was clear that more asylums needed to be built to house theses patients and be able to have the proper care for …show more content…
Later also having ground on Lexington and Belmont. Opened in 1930 and later close in 1992. A growing need for mental institutions in the Boston area was voiced in the 20th century. Metropolitan state hospital consisted of an administration building, medical-surgical facility, acute and chronic care buildings, staff housing, morgue and power plant. The largest of the building was the chronic care building. This was the treatment center where groups of patients were still able to continue treatment. There was even a center for children and adolescent that was built on campus. This state hospital was also known at Met State. Met State housed over 1,000 patients but was over capacity by 100 only after being open for two years. Many things lead to the closing and demolishment of Met state. In 1978 a former patient by the name of Melvin Wilson murdered and dismembered a co-patient by the name of Anne Marie Dave. He buried parts of her body all around Met State hospital grounds but, he also kept Dave’s teeth that were later located on him when investigated. This murder investigation did not happen until 19 years later when reports were made by mental state health workers regarding negligence. Most of theses grounds are now condos and golf courses however, there still remains a cemetery containing about 480 anonymous unmarked graves. There is told to have been many more but probably disappeared in the grounds. Although
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