Benny and I love exploring abandoned places in New England. The Medfield State Hospital consists of many buildings located on over 316 acres.
Please note: The Town of Medfield has plans to update the campus and use it for cultural events. Although it’s possible that this post will soon be dated, revitalizing these old buildings is definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
At the time of this writing, visiting the campus is allowed between dawn and dusk. You can stroll around the 58 buildings, and many locals use the area as a place to walk their dogs.
All of the buildings are boarded up, and entry in any of them is strictly forbidden.
Can you imagine how many times I had to remind Benny of this? Unlike the Abandoned Rutland Prison Camp or Fort Wetherill, there are explicit signs telling you, (note, not warning, not asking – no, telling you) that you can’t go in.
Benny tried to argue that because he’s not a human being, the sign didn’t apply to him.
“Bob, I bet squirrels, mice, and chipmunks go in all the time!” he pled. “Although,” he added, “I’m not sure why horses aren’t allowed; there must be a story behind that rule!”
“No, Benny. You’re not going in. If you get hurt, then I have to go in after you, and I can get in trouble.”
My reasoning seemed to make sense to him. Throughout our walk, though, I could see him eyeing every building, as if he were looking for an opening just large enough to let him in.
Most of the buildings are pretty big. It’s a huge campus. At one time, there were up to 2,200 patients.
Is Benny simply posing for the camera? Or was he using the time to try to think of how to get inside? Whatever the case was, I pointed out the “No Entry” sign on the door, just to be on the safe side. He looked at the sign and then grumbled.
A Short Background of the Medfield State Hospital
The Medfield State Hospital opened in 1892 as a psychiatric hospital. At the time, it was known as the Medfield Insane Asylum. It was the first such hospital built in the “Cottage Plan” style. Patients were allowed to walk from building to building throughout their day, and many worked specific jobs. This was very different than the layouts of other psychiatric hospitals where patients were locked up in a room all day. The hospital closed in 2003.
A few movies used the location for filming. You may recognize the brick buildings from scenes of Shutter Island. The New Mutants and The Box also had scenes filmed here.
Time for my soap box:
I usually don’t stand tall and proud on a soap box when I blog, but for this post, I’m making an exception.
This sign’s sobering message reminds us that the patients who were here were human beings. There’s often a stigma associated with individuals who are afflicted with mental illness. I find it interesting that in our society, one can suffer from a physical ailment, such as diabetes or cancer, and not be looked down upon the way those who suffer from mental illnesses are. Both physical and mental illnesses need attention and treatment. The patients at the Medfield State Hospital received the best treatment that was available at this time.
This place doesn’t intrigue me because it’s an abandoned psychiatric hospital; rather, I’m interested in it simply because it’s abandoned, and I, for some reason, seem to be drawn to abandoned places.
Thank you for coming to my Bob Talk.
Photos from exploring
As I mentioned before, there are quite a few buildings to see. This is a great place to just meander and explore.
Future Plans
Parts of the campus are soon going to be updated and used as a performing arts center. In fact, while we were walking around, we saw a stage outside. For more information on future plans, check out the Cultural Alliance of Medfield.
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