Susan Butler
 

Northampton State Hospital Grounds: Don't Let Them Go To Waste

The Northampton State Hospital Grounds are not only vastly beautiful, but they are also very important to the history of Northampton. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the Northampton Lunatic Hospital was built. In the 1960's deinstitutionalization began throughout the US, and at Northampton State Hospital also. By 1993, the last patients from the Northampton State Hospital were moved out to other institutions around the state, or into community programs. It is now 1998. Since the last patients left, the hospital buildings have fallen apart. The beauty of the buildings and grounds has been taken for granted and left to overgrowth and decay. I feel that there are many wonderful things that could be done to use some of the old buildings. In my opinion, parts of the Old Main Complex should be restored and made into a museum, and Historic Northampton should be moved into it. I also think that the Memorial Complex should be made into low income housing, either by severe renovation, or destruction and rebuilding. The rest of the area where there are buildings around the Old Main Complex should be either renovated or rebuilt and made into rental areas for businesses. The land surrounding the State Hospital ground that has walking, running, and biking trails, should remain untouched except to pave the areas of frequent travel by walkers, runners or bicyclists.
        The Old Main Complex, is exactly what its name says. It is the oldest standing building on the hospital grounds, and was the central location for hospital happenings. It is a beautiful place, with a wonderful presence. Deterioration plays a large role in the restoration of the Old Main Complex. Hopefully it has the potential to be brought back to a state where it can function. The destruction of this building to me would be a remarkably unfortunate thing to do. I feel that instead, Historic Northampton should be moved into this building, as well as a Northampton Historical Museum. This would not only save the building from destruction, but it would also raise awareness about the history of Northampton and the hospital as well as provide a wonderful setting for a museum. I believe that having a place that told the story not only of the State Hospital, but also of Northampton, will bring the community together in a beautiful setting.
        The Memorial Complex, across the street from the Haskell Building and the Main Entrance, is another parcel of land that could be used very productively. I feel that this area should be either renovated, or destroyed and rebuilt to make low-income housing, as well as a homeless shelter. I think that this area is placed well to accommodate families in a community setting. It is in close proximity to not only the town of Northampton, but also the community gardens, the playing fields that are soon to be constructed (as already stated in Northampton's plans), and the Old Main Complex (which would be the museum). Having these homes here would provide a community setting wherein families could get back on their feet and where there could be a homeless shelter integrated with the housing. This would work to eliminate the ever-present NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) problem that has constrained the building of a shelter in Northampton for so long.
        Cost is a big factor in the development of this state land. This is why I feel that there should be areas of land, or buildings with leasing and renting capabilities around the Old Main Complex (museum) where businesses could establish themselves. This area would be a wonderful setting for new businesses, franchises, and chains. The location (if looked at along with the playing fields, housing, and museum) makes for a very attractive location for various kinds of business. The state could then use the money from the renters and leasers to help offset the cost of renovating the Old Main Complex, and redoing it to make the museum. These business would also bring with them more jobs for the community of Northampton, and bring more life into the area.
        The last idea that I had for the Northampton State Hospital, is for the surrounding grounds that are now used for walking, running, and biking trails. I think that this idea is wonderful, and that it should be kept in practice. However, I also feel that the state should provide a better environment for these activities. I think that the main paths should be paved, along with signs of direction, and information about the land. This would draw even more activity to the area, and create an even greater sense of community in the area.
        The Northampton State Hospital Grounds have a lot of promise. The land and buildings are wonderful structures that cannot be allowed to go to waste. My ideas, however unfeasible they may be, would help everyone get a little bit of their way. Some of the buildings would be saved, but put to good use low-income housing and a homeless shelter would provide for those citizens of Northampton that need them, and the state would be able to use money from the museum (if admission is charged), and the businesses to help to offset some of the costs involved. The condition that the former State Hospital grounds and buildings are in now is shameful to the community. I know that when I first witnessed them, I was appalled that they would be let to go to waste by a community. Because of this, I feel that the making of these buildings into something that will draw the community together makes a lot of sense, and hopefully will prevent the unfortunate decay of any other important Northampton sites.

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