November 3rd, 2009
Taunton Demolition Pictures
I haven’t been down to Taunton to see the old Kirkbride in a long time now. I wanted to pretend that the demolition going on there isn’t happening, and that the building is still standing untouched and quietly beautiful as ever. But of course I wasn’t going to be able to avoid reality forever thanks to the internet. Some photos of the demolition are available here: I Less-than-Heart Massachusetts. Although I suspect the writer’s claim to have taken the very last pictures of TSH may be a little premature, it does look like the Kirkbride is pretty close to being a memory, if it isn’t already.
That really sucks!
I have a family connection to Taunton, my grandmother and aunt were patients there. My Nana Rose Lima Dias died there in 1948 her daughter Rosalina died there in 1979. I remember going to visit my aunt Rose when I was fifteen years old. Looking at this building engulfed in fire and then to watch it being torn down hurt me to my heart, my family died a second time, their spiritand all of the other people that entered those doors spirit’s were there too. Why do politicans always feel the need to destroy history,America’s history is vanishing at a fast rate soon there will be nothing left for the generatons to come. I am the family historian for my family, trying to locate information is like pulling a needle out of a hey stack, we have lost another genealogical gem thanks to greed,polictcal ambition, and greed.
Now, I cna only hope that the records haven’t been destroyed or that I have to jump through hoops to find information about my family, if I were a betting gal I would wager that I will be nothing frustration and obstacles but, I won’t let them stop me.
One more thing, who ever torched the hospital, shame on you, I know it’s been awhile since this occured but still shame onyou.
This makes me so sad, are there pictures of it completely down now or is it still in the process? This is one of the things I loathe about the US, we just tear everything down so easily.
I visited TSH to get a feel for the hospital that housed my cousin for a number of years.
Note to Virginia above…my great-grandma was in Taunton for many years too. I also have been trying to find records WHY. Having two daughters now and my own issues, I would seriously like to know why she was there so much. My mom can rememeber being on the sidewalk outside and waving to her grandmother when she came to the window. Very sad to see your grandmother in the insane asylum. I about died today when I found out they killed the place. It must have been unbelievably gorgeous and peaceful in it’s day.
I agree, shame on the fire-setters and glass breakers, I’m sure their mothers would be proud to know what they did. It’s an archtectural masterpiece….not like today’s crappy concrete and glass. Another shameful example of “progress”. I thought Massachusetts was better about preserving their heritage.
Trying to find out about my great uncle Arthur Wingate a patient of record at Taunton in 1940 and I think, died in 1948. Anyone able to help me ??
Virginia King has a sense of nostalgia in having family members formerly in Taunton, and loves the historical balance in keeping such no longer available works. As said here, the plastic pre-fab industry took craftmanship out the window, but the loss of aesthetics in the landscape as well as it’s own architectural value can never be duplicated. The memories of loved ones would best be served in forgetting the illness and negative aspects their lives held, but the loss of historical architecture is the greatest loss.