Vermont State Asylum For The Insane
History
During the tenure of Dr. Eugene A. Stanley as superintendent (1918–1936), the hospital expanded – with a patient population peaking at 1,728 in the mid-1930s – and constructed a new three-story building specifically for the treatment of women. Stanley, who was an advocate of eugenics, espoused forced sterilization and advised the Eugenics Society, to whom he provided patient records.
The word, "Waterbury," used in a derogatory sense, was intended to convey to the listener that someone was either insane or was acting or talking in a manner disagreeable to the speaker (e.g. "Keep that up, and we'll be sending you to Waterbury.")
The property was flooded in 1927. In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene flooded the property 2.5 feet (0.76 m) above predicted 100-year level.
In 1963, the population started to decline. Empty floor space was converted into state offices.
In 2011, the hospital closed due to flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in Vermont.
Facilities
In 2012, the property covered 117 acres (47 ha).
See also
- Brandon Training School
- Brattleboro Retreat
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Vermont
References
- ^ HEALTH CARE IN VERMONT DATABASE AND TIMELINE
- ^ "Vermont State Hospital" on the Asylum Project website
- ^ Papazian, Lyssa. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Vermont State Hospital Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ ""Don't Send Me to Waterbury!"" (PDF). Ethan Allen Institute. December 2007.
- ^ Remsen, Nancy (June 11, 2012). "Tearing down before building back". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. pp. 1A, 6A, 7A.