|
A HISTORY OF THE ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE IN MICHIGAN BY HENRY M. HURD, M. D.
It would be unnecessarily tedious to detail the various steps by which the remainder of the asylum building was gradually built during the war, and finally completed in 1869—twenty-one years from the time that the first movement was made for the erection of an asylum. When completed in accordance with the original plan, the asylum building had a capacity of about 300 patients.
I cannot pass from a description of this preliminary work without paying a tribute to the able and self sacrificing superintendent of the institution during these early years—Dr. E. H. Van Deusen, now of Kalamazoo. Few can realize the magnitude of his labors during this period of construction, and the courage, energy and determination required to bring the undertaking to a successful completion. He developed during the progress of the building remarkable talents as an amateur architect, and the buildings which he constructed have served as models for many of the public institutions of the State.
No sooner was the building completed and occupied than it was found to be wholly inadequate to meet the requirements of the State. Accordingly, in 1871 the sum of $220, 000 was appropriated for the extension of the asylum, with the purpose of using the original asylum building for the care of female patients, and employing the new building for male patients exclusively. This work was prosecuted with so much vigor that the fall of 1874 saw the male department completed and occupied.
MICHIGAN ASYLUMS
Page 14
|
|
Please consider making a donation to help keep these sites alive.
Thank you
|
