Edgewood State Hospital: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox hospital
{{Infobox hospital
| name                 = Edgewood State Hospital
| name = Edgewood State Hospital
| location             = [[Deer Park, New York|Deer Park]], [[New York]], US
| image =
| type                  = Tubercular/psychiatric hospital
| alt =
| beds                  = 700-900
| caption =
| speciality            = Mental health
| location = Deer Park, New York
| emergency            = Yes
| region = Suffolk County
| opened                = 1940s
| state = New York
| closed               = 1971
| country = United States
| demolished           = 1980s
| healthcare = Public
| type = Psychiatric
| specialty = Mental Health
| founded = 1946
| closed = 1971
| demolished = 1989
}}
}}


'''Edgewood State Hospital''' was a tubercular/psychiatric hospital complex located in Deer Park, New York, on Long Island. It was one of four state mental asylums built on Long Island, with the others being Kings Park State Hospital, Central Islip State Hospital, and Pilgrim State Hospital. Edgewood was the last of the four to be built.
'''Edgewood State Hospital''' was a [[psychiatric hospital]] located in [[Deer Park, New York]], within [[Suffolk County]]. It was part of the larger [[Pilgrim Psychiatric Center]] complex and served as a facility for the treatment of mental illness. The hospital was operational from 1946 until its closure in 1971 and was demolished in 1989.


== History ==
==History==
The hospital was constructed in the early 1940s, likely funded by the Works Progress Administration. It consisted of ten buildings, including a prominent 13-story main building, making it the smallest of the four asylums. However, plans for a larger complex were never realized. During World War II, the hospital was taken over by the War Department and used as a psychiatric facility for soldiers suffering from battle trauma. The entire campus, along with three buildings from nearby Pilgrim State Hospital, was utilized as "Mason General Hospital" by the department.
Edgewood State Hospital was constructed during the [[World War II]] era, initially intended to serve as a psychiatric facility for [[military personnel]]. The hospital was part of a broader effort to address the mental health needs of soldiers returning from the war, many of whom suffered from [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD) and other psychological conditions.


After the war, the hospital was returned to New York State and operated as the tubercular division of Pilgrim for a few years. In 1946, film director John Huston was assigned to create a documentary film called ''Let There Be Light'', which showcased recovering soldiers at the hospital for propaganda purposes.
===Construction and Design===
The hospital was designed in a utilitarian style typical of mid-20th century institutional architecture. It consisted of several large buildings, including patient wards, administrative offices, and treatment facilities. The design emphasized functionality and efficiency, with a focus on providing ample space for patient care and rehabilitation.


Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, advancements in medicine led to changes in the treatment of tuberculosis and psychiatric conditions. As a result, Edgewood State Hospital closed its doors in 1971. The hospital was eventually demolished in the 1980s.
===Operational Years===
Edgewood State Hospital officially opened in 1946 and quickly became a key component of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. It provided a range of mental health services, including [[inpatient]] care, [[psychotherapy]], and [[occupational therapy]]. The hospital was staffed by a team of [[psychiatrists]], [[psychologists]], [[nurses]], and support personnel dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients.


== References ==
===Closure===
{{Reflist}}
In the late 1960s, changes in mental health policy and the advent of [[deinstitutionalization]] led to a decline in the use of large psychiatric hospitals. Edgewood State Hospital was closed in 1971 as part of this broader trend, with patients being transferred to other facilities or integrated into community-based care programs.
 
==Demolition==
After its closure, the hospital buildings remained vacant for several years. In 1989, the decision was made to demolish the structures due to concerns about safety and urban decay. The site was cleared, and the land was repurposed for other uses.
 
==Legacy==
Edgewood State Hospital is remembered as a significant part of the history of mental health care in New York. It played a crucial role in the treatment of psychiatric patients during a time of significant change in the field of mental health. The hospital's history reflects broader trends in the treatment of mental illness and the evolution of psychiatric care in the United States.
 
==See also==
* [[Pilgrim Psychiatric Center]]
* [[Deinstitutionalization]]
* [[History of psychiatric institutions in the United States]]
 
{{Coord|40.7647|-73.3219|display=title}}
 
[[Category:Defunct hospitals in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Psychiatric hospitals in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Hospitals established in 1946]]
[[Category:Hospitals disestablished in 1971]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1989]]

Latest revision as of 21:38, 1 January 2025

Edgewood State Hospital
Location Deer Park, New York
Address
Region Suffolk County
State New York
Country United States
Coordinates
Funding
Website [ Official website]


Edgewood State Hospital was a psychiatric hospital located in Deer Park, New York, within Suffolk County. It was part of the larger Pilgrim Psychiatric Center complex and served as a facility for the treatment of mental illness. The hospital was operational from 1946 until its closure in 1971 and was demolished in 1989.

History[edit]

Edgewood State Hospital was constructed during the World War II era, initially intended to serve as a psychiatric facility for military personnel. The hospital was part of a broader effort to address the mental health needs of soldiers returning from the war, many of whom suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological conditions.

Construction and Design[edit]

The hospital was designed in a utilitarian style typical of mid-20th century institutional architecture. It consisted of several large buildings, including patient wards, administrative offices, and treatment facilities. The design emphasized functionality and efficiency, with a focus on providing ample space for patient care and rehabilitation.

Operational Years[edit]

Edgewood State Hospital officially opened in 1946 and quickly became a key component of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. It provided a range of mental health services, including inpatient care, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy. The hospital was staffed by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and support personnel dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients.

Closure[edit]

In the late 1960s, changes in mental health policy and the advent of deinstitutionalization led to a decline in the use of large psychiatric hospitals. Edgewood State Hospital was closed in 1971 as part of this broader trend, with patients being transferred to other facilities or integrated into community-based care programs.

Demolition[edit]

After its closure, the hospital buildings remained vacant for several years. In 1989, the decision was made to demolish the structures due to concerns about safety and urban decay. The site was cleared, and the land was repurposed for other uses.

Legacy[edit]

Edgewood State Hospital is remembered as a significant part of the history of mental health care in New York. It played a crucial role in the treatment of psychiatric patients during a time of significant change in the field of mental health. The hospital's history reflects broader trends in the treatment of mental illness and the evolution of psychiatric care in the United States.

See also[edit]

   Coordinates:
   
       40.7647°-73.3219 
       {{{3}}}°{{{4}}}
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