Historic Asylums

[shamare]

I grew up on the grounds of Warren State Hospital. My Dad did his residency there, then became a Clinical Director, and finally was Superindent. This was back in the "glory days" of the state hospitals.

Anyone else out there?

Sheila

[nursenancy47]

Sheila,
My mother was a "patient" there in the late 60's & early 70's. I was 10-13 years old at the time. We went ot visit her every weekend. It was quite an experience. Is it still open, I wonder?

Nancy

[shamare]

[nursenancy47]

Sheila,

I don't know if you recieved the personal message that I sent to you but, is there a way someone could obtain someone's records (my mother, who passed away in March 2007) ??

Thank-you so much
Nancy

[Krestina]

Hello There
I am new on this site and I am very interested in what you are sharing.
My GrandFather was a patient at Warren Hospital and died there in the 60's. My Mom use to tell me stories about the hospital and its grounds. She told me that my GrandFather use to do a lot of work around the grounds and enjoyed it very much. She said he use to grow the vegetables and groom the grounds and took great prde in both. Even though most of the time he did not recogonize my Mom (he thought she was her older sister) she went to visit him regularly. Mom also told me his Physcians name was Dr. Israel and that he took good care of my GrandFather. Do either of you recognize that doctors name?? I am seeking to find where my GranPa is buried so I can place a headstone there and I can go to place flowers out for him. I never got to meet him, when my Mom married she had 5 children and we were poor and lived in Buffalo NY. She did not have the money or means to go to Warren when my Grandpa died, and she never received anything from the hospital. I would love to see pictures of him at the hospital as I only have one picture of him and I understand that somewhere in records are pictures of the patients at dances, some parties, in the fields and general shots. If you know of any of these things I would appreciate your guidance..I would like to find where he is buried and some of the records to find a little background on him. He has a very special place in my heart I think becasue he had such a special place in my Moms Heart. Many Thanks!!
Krysia

[ksrobinson]

Hi,

I am also interested in getting records on a previous patient. My great grandmother was a resident around the turn of the 20th century. Does anyone know the appropriate way to get historic information on a patient?

Thanks,
Kristy

[kenney82]

Hello, everyone, I just came upon this site. I am presently employed by Warren State Hospital, DPW, and work in the Israel Bldg, which is the geriatrics building. We recently rededicated the cemetery and I listed all names of patients who are buried there. You can find that site on www.ancestry.com., Warren County, PA, Conewango Twp, message boards. Curious to know if any of you are looking for someone who I may have listed. Good luck. Fran

[shamare]

[kenney82]

Right now we house about 250 patients. The Center Bldg, is the main building and has both men and women patients, separate wards, of course, four wards, one each for men and women, one "intense" ward for each men & women. The forensics building has men patients, and the Israel Bldg, is the geriatrics building with approximately 40+ patients. Only the first floor of the Israel Bldg is used for healthcare now. The other floors are used for storage, meetings, or a locked ward for "ill" forensics patients, or in the event of medical emergency or a crisis situation.

[shamare]

[kenney82]

There has been talk about a college campus on the grounds. We already have the Curwen Bldg, used a Forest Warren Co High Ed building, and my daughter actually had classes there through Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY. It would be great if they would bring a campus in. I use the tunnels each day as I do two mailruns from Israel Bldg to the Center Bldg. At first, I was a bit "whigged" out by them, but now, I am so thankful I don't have to go out in the weather or use my car to run my errands between buildings. I am just now reading up on Dixmont State Hospital which was near Pittsburgh, PA, and was demolished a few years back. More interesting reading.

[Krestina]

I saw your message and truly hope my GrandFather was one of the people you listed..his name is Louis Opolka (it may have been spelled Louie O Palka) the writing was always so different back then. I sure hope my GrandFather was one you listed. My personal email is
maewest109@hotmail.com
I live in Buffalo NY and would love to come and see the grounds.
I hope to hear from you or anyone else that can help me.
Thank you for sharing. Krestina

[columind99]

[Krestina]

Thank you for your suggestion of calling the hospital. I hope I don't run into a brick wall again. I did send in for a death certificate and paid to have them search for the extra ten years with no success. I'll just keep trying as this means an awful lot to me.
I hope the state of PA will be kind to me.
I'll keep ya posted and many Thanks for your guidance.
Krestina

[rubym]

My mom was there in the 60's for 3 months. From the stories she has told in her lucid moments, it was not a kind place to be...but that is coming from a paranoid schitzophrenic. She got her fair share of electro-shock therapy...it may work for some, but it didn't seem to for her. I would love to be able to get her medical records for her, her docs even now have a hard time treating her. She has suffered a lifetime and the medical estrablishement has not done her any favors.

Sorry to be a downer, some win, some lose.

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