Jul 12 2008
Last Chance to Tour The Hospital
On July 24, Salem’s Historic Landmarks Commission will receive the request for demolition of portions of The J Building and other structures on the Oregon State Hospital campus.
Some preservationists reluctantly approve of the proposed demolition plan.
The demolition of these structures is necessary to create space for the new Oregon State Hospital. Preservationists succeeded in saving the oldest part of The J Building, dating from 1883, along with several of the historic homes and other important structures on the campus.
The part of The J Building slated to be preserved includes the original Kirkbride architectural philosophy. The preservation plans also call for recreating the original entry to the hospital, including the historic fountain, recently found in remarkably good condition in a hospital storage room. A new museum focusing on the history of mental health care in Oregon is also planned for the preserved building.
Demolition of any historic building is a sad event. However, it is necessary to sometimes say goodbye to parts of our past to make way for newer facilities, particularly when those new facilities will be designed to provide better care for our most vulnerable citizens. The State’s current plans graciously provide for the preservation of a significant part of the Kirkbride-inspired J Building along with honoring it further by designating part of it as a museum.
In addition, the Oregon Department of Human Services will open portions of the J Building to a one-day public tour prior to demolition. This will provide people with an opportunity to say goodbye to a building that has long been a part of Salem’s history. It will also be an opportunity to view a model of the planned new hospital. The tentative date for the open house tour is September 10, 2008.
Be sure to sign up for our EMAIL LIST if you would like to be notified about the tour.
Thank you for the tour opportunity.
I read about the plans to tear down the Oregon Sate Hospital in the local paper in Roanoke Va and I wish I could go and see this place before it is torn down but time and money prevent this. A family member said one of my relitives died at the hospital so I was wondering if someone could do me a small favor. I would like to send our family flag and have someone raise it over one of the buildings before it is torn down. If not I will understand. I would send a SASE and a few dollars for your troubles. Thank You for your time and energy.
I remember visiting a family member there prior to the hospitals closing. The building is a testament to a concept that over time has been lost along with the souls that it contained. It would be an honor to be part of the tour and in some small way pay tribute to those who believed in the healing of others.
I congratulate the State of Oregon for getting it right and creating a Mental Health Museum as an integral part of the redevelopment plans for its hospital. If you want to see “sad,” take a look at what happened in my MA neighborhood, where an historic asylum– Danvers State Hospital–was in good part sacrificed to the wrecking ball to make way for apartments and condominiums. No mention of the asylum is made in the developer’s literature, much less the creation of such a museum. A true tragedy…
Thank you for your comments regarding the future of the Oregon State Hospital complex. While the City’s Landmarks Commission did give approval to remove several sections of the “J” building that parallel Center Street, the State has also committed to saving the oldest “U” section and to include a museum focusing on the history of the treatment of the mentally ill in our State. The original entrance and fountain will also be restored.
Also a group of architects/historians will be selected to advise the Hospital architects on making a good transition and compatible new structure that will replace the lost buildings.
We have learned from sad losses such as
Danvers State Hospital and hope those of you who have replied to this site from other States will have an opportunity to visit and see what we have done here.
The open house at the “J” building is still scheduled for September 10.