Series I., Subseries C. Buildings, Facilities and Grounds Records, 1828-1994.

Scope and content:

Contains office files and drawings pertaining to the hospital grounds, at both the New and Old Sites. The office files document maintenance and upkeep, insurance matters, building dedications, and other issues pertaining to the Western State Hospital facility and campus. It is unclear which office or person created and maintained the files, but they may have originated in the Office of the Superintendent. Of particular note are the Fire Insurance Inspection Reports which give detailed accounts of the structures present at the Old Site in the 1960s. The report includes information about the use of buildings, dates of construction, materials used, and value. Each structure is detailed individually, most have a photograph attached as well. Additional photographs of the buildings (exteriors and interiors) at the Old Site and New Site can be found in Series I. Administrative Records, Subseries K. Photographs and Slides. An older fireproofing report, including architectural renderings, can be found in this subseries under "Drawings and Plans." Some of the older files include handwritten documents describing the hospital's gas works, water system, and construction projects (Box 18, Folders 3, 5, 19, 26). Many of these documents were written by Thomas R. Blackburn, the building superintendent and former architectural student of Thomas Jefferson. Researchers interested in the early years of Western State should also consult Series I. Administrative Records, Subseries D. Correspondence, (Box 19, Folder 2) which contains several documents relating to the construction of the original hospital buildings. This file includes a rather detailed sketch of the early building and its dimensions drawn by Baltimore architect William Small. There are also several letters from the hospital gardener, William Wood, that describe his work on the grounds of the hospital (Box 53, Folder 15). Additional construction-related letters can be found in the 1890 correspondence file (Box 61, Folder 22). Meeting minutes for the Local Building Committee and its later incarnation, the Institutional Executive Committee, can be found in Series I. Administrative Records, Subseries I. Meeting Minutes. Additionally, an 1835 Building Committee report can be found in Series I. Administrative Records, Subseries N. Reports. Researchers should also note additional buildings and grounds records (1825-1873), including a workbook belonging to building superintendent, Thomas Blackburn, can be found in Series VI. Records Found at Eastern State Hospital (Accession 44812). Most of the drawings and plans are of buildings located at the New Site, many of which were done by the architectural firm of Marcellus Wright and Son. A few drawings of the Old Site are included, such as those of the proposed court yard area and canteen. The report on fireproofing includes an outdoor site plan and several architectural renderings of the wards. The material found in this subseries was originally part of accessions 41404 and 31030.

Arrangement:

The files and drawings are arranged alphabetically.

Access and use

Contents