R.I.P. - Danvers State Hospital
1878-2006
2006 was a grave year for lovers of Gothic Victorian architecture. The "Castle on the Hill," the inspiration for Lovecraft's Arkham Sanitorium, Arkham Asylum of Batman fame, and the cult horror film Session 9, is a now a mere shadow of its former self. Only a small part of the administration building remains, with most of the magnificent Kirkbride complex demolished, despite the valiant efforts of preservationists and private citizens. It will be replaced by mostly unaffordable housing that will cater to rich yuppies (just what the North Shore needs more of).
This is yet another example of how the almighty dollar can buy out certain town managers, and how the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has once again bungled a chance at adaptive reuse by deliberating letting this historic resource go to waste through neglect (when the building was closed in 1992, the heat was turned off, but the water was left on, causing extensive damage from burst pipes). I'd like to believe that if Lovecraft were still alive today, he would call upon Chthulu himself to avenge this outrage!
The only bright spot in this tragedy is that many individuals are keeping the memory of the "Castle" alive through photoessays, books, movies and websites. Here is a list of some of these resources. If you have something about Danvers you want to share, whether it is a photo, story or website, please email doomsday@whatmagazine.org
LINKS
http://www.danversstateinsaneasylum.com - An excellent page run by photographer John Gray, this page has lots of information, stunning photographs, and a haunting interview with a former Danvers State Hospital employee.
http://www.jeremybarnard.com - Photographer Jeremy Barnard has also captured the essence of the abandoned hospital, including photographs of the artwork of patients residing there.
http://www.danverslibrary.org/archives/pildsh2.html - Run by the Peabody Institute of Danvers, this slightly out-of-date page provides good historical information about Danvers State Hospital.
http://www.thehauntedpalace.com/DanversState.html - Michael Ramseur is the author of Haunted Palace, available on CD-Rom and in book form, which contains his chilling artistic interpretations and literary impressions of Danvers State Hospital. "With this book (Ramseur) delivers a deeply-researched and comprehensive portrait of the asylum that has housed, inspired, cured, terrified and brutalized us for over 200 years."
