March 5th, 2009
Over the last few months I’ve actually started using my Facebook profile and have to admit it’s pretty addictive. In case you’ve been living under a rock in a cave somewhere on Mars, Facebook is a social networking site that allows you to keep in touch and up-to-date with friends, family and other associates, as well as with your favorite bands, TV channels, companies, whatever.
It’s nice to see that Kirkbride buildings have a small presence on the site. There’s the Kirkbride buildings page, the Project Kirkbride group, an unofficial Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum group, and a really nice profile for The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (formerly Traverse City State Hospital) where you can find out about upcoming events and see some pictures of the goings-on there. If you’ve got your own Facebook profile, please become fans or join these groups to show your support.
I hope there’ll be more Kirkbride-related stuff on Facebook in the future. Seems like the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum should have an official profile/page, as well as The Richardson Olmsted Complex and Hudson Heritage Park.
February 25th, 2009
Topeka Public Schools has officially purchased the former Topeka State Hospital campus: 501 Buys Former State Hospital Land.
As I’ve mentioned before, this will probably lead to the demolition of the remaining piece of Topeka’s Kirkbride. To be fair, I haven’t heard that that’s an absolute fact, but it does appear likely.
February 18th, 2009
squad546 over at the Asylum Projects Forum scored the biggest asylum-related find of the year (so far) by tracking down video footage of the 1991 Worcester State Hospital fire. The video was taken by a gentleman named Michael Newton, who gave squad546 permission to post it on the web. I’ve included a few screenshots in this post, but you can see a lot more here: Worcester Fire Footage.
squad546 will try to get the actual video uploaded to the web soon. I’ll link to it once it’s available. I’d like to give a big thanks to Mr Newton for sharing this footage. It’s sad to see, but amazing at the same time, and I’m glad it was documented like this. (more…)
February 10th, 2009
I’m a little late on this, but there was an article last week about preservationists calling for the protection of historical structures on the campus of the former Columbia State Hospital campus (which the state is now offering for sale). The historical structures include, of course, the Kirkbride building. You can read the story here: Push on to Protect State Hospital Structures.
I’m not too familiar with the Columbia Kirkbride and have never seen it in person. From pictures I’ve seen though it looks like it’s in fair condition, and from this article I get the sense it has a decent chance of survival. If anyone reading this knows better, please comment. Thanks.
February 5th, 2009
In this video from MilitaryTimes, GSA Department Director, Dawud Abdur-Rahman talks about the proposed Department of Homeland Security headquarters at Saint Elizabeths hospital. There’s some nice footage of the historic buildings, including the Kirkbride. Note that Abdur-Rahman believes construction will begin this year.
January 29th, 2009
There’s a new web site concerning the fate of Greystone Park at www.preservegreystone.org. It’s owned by the group dedicated to preserving the Greystone Park site for recreation, open space and historic preservation, instead of residential and commercial development. If you’re looking for information on what’s currently happening with the Greystone Park campus, preservegreystone.org will keep you up to date. (more…)
January 26th, 2009
Somebody just pointed me to a Buffalo News article about the Buffalo State Hospital Kirkbride which describes in more detail than usual the proposed plans for the building: Hotel and Park Proposed for Richardson Complex.
I really hope a hotel goes in. I’ll make a trip out to Buffalo at least once a year if I can spend a few days living in that Kirkbride. Maybe I’d even start a little annual convention for Kirkbride enthusiasts.
And remember, there’s going to be a public meeting on Tuesday, January 27 in Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College about these plans (for the hotel not my imaginary convention:). So if you live in the area, check it out.
January 21st, 2009
A status update on the former Buffalo State Hospital Kirkbride appeared on Buffalo Rising yesterday: Richardson Complex Update. According to BR, some stabilization work has been completed, more is in the works, and a laser scan of the building is ongoing. There will also be a public meeting on Tuesday, January 27 in Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College where The Richardson Center Corporation will give an overview of the work completed so far. It’s great to hear that preservation of this architectural treasure is moving forward.
January 20th, 2009
I’ve been out of touch with the latest on Greystone Park, but there was an item in the news yesterday about protests over it’s possible sale to commercial interests. Apparently there are laws in existance that prohibit the grounds (and buildings on them) from commercial development, and state that they must be used for parks, farmland, open space and/or for historical purposes (as in a museum of some sort).
Last month, a group of area residents and government officials requested that the New Jersey state government adhere to these laws and reverse theirprior approval of a property auction. While I believe whole-heartedly in the rights of citizens to have a say in what happens in their town, I can’t help but think this is bad news for the Greystone Kirkbride building. It’s hard to imagine the state and/or local government will decide to foot the enormous bill for preserving a building like Greystone in times like these.
I was hoping to find out more about this before posting, but I haven’t had much luck. If anyone knows anything about how this development could affect the preservation of the Kirkbride, please comment and let us know. Thanks.
January 10th, 2009
The National Capital Planning Commission has approved plans for a new Department of Homeland Security headquarters on the abandoned West Campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital: Planning Agency Approves Homeland Security Complex. While getting Congress to pony up the necessary funds still remains an issue, I’ll wager they’ll be forthcoming eventually—even if it takes a little while given the current economic turmoil.
The bad news: as stated before, this development may affect the site’s national landmark status, and the campus will be off-limits to all but a few thousand government employees. The good news: Kirkbride preservation and reuse is part of the redevelopment plan. Even though it’s sad that the Kirk will be hidden behind multiple layers of security, it’s good to know that its odds for survival are favorable. I also think it’s remarkably fitting for the building to become part of the DHS’s headquarters. No, not because it’ll make an easy joke about the DHS being an insane asylum, but because it’s fortress-like facade will be in keeping with its use.
For some differing views on this development, see these two write ups on other blogs: A Dangerous Turn for St. Elizabeths (Preservation Nation) and St. E’s West Campus Wins Final OK (And Now, Anacostia).
