To relieve the pressure of a rising patient population from its only asylum in Worcester, the state appointed a commission to find a site for a new asylum in 1851. After its completion in 1854, the second State Lunatic Hospital began taking in patients. Although it was not as large or as the asylum in Worcester, this asylum was one of the most impressive. One of its most beautiful features were its breezeways which were added in the 1890's to connect the end of the wards to the hospitals infirmary buildings. Its distinct cupolas, large dome, cast-iron capitals and window bars, also gave this building its own very unique personality. In 1975 the hospital was abandoned, as it was no longer needed.

Nearly twenty-five years after, in 1999 the large dome which towered over the hospitals administration collapsed. Then on March 19th, 2006 a massive fire broke out at night in the center of the building which included the administration, and theater. After, the fire damaged sections were leveled, leaving only the decaying wings of the kirkbride.


Being the last kirkbride left standing in the state, its last days were marked as the end of an era. The history of these giant buildings were brought to an end during late May 2009, when workers began complete abatement and demolition on all of the dysfunctional buildings on the property.

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