Jump to content

Brattleboro Retreat: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →

Jk12211960 (talk | contribs)

7 edits
undo
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 28: Line 28:
| governing_body =
| governing_body =
}}
}}
The '''Brattleboro Retreat''' is a private, non-profit [[psychiatric hospital]] that pioneered [[mental health]] care in the United States. It is located on over {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} of land between the [[Connecticut River]] and downtown [[Brattleboro, Vermont]]. It treats all psychiatric issues through every modern modality, from outpatient addiction treatment to full hospitalization. It operates as a resource of Retreat Healthcare and is a member of the Ivy League Hospitals.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989">''Brattleboro Retreat: The First 150 Years'', Best Books (1989)</ref>
The [Brattleboro Retreat] is a private, not-for-profit [[psychiatric hospital]] that pioneered [[mental health]] care in the United States. It is located on more than {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} of land between the [[Connecticut River]] and downtown [[Brattleboro, Vermont]]. It treats all psychiatric issues through every modern modality, from outpatient addiction treatment to full hospitalization. It is a member of the Ivy League Hospitals.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989">''Brattleboro Retreat: The First 150 Years'', Best Books (1989)</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Retreat was founded in 1834 by [[Anna Marsh]], the widow of Dr. Perley Marsh, whose attempts to treat mental illness were frustrated by the lack of appropriate existing treatments. Marsh endowed the hospital (originally known as the Vermont Asylum for the Insane) with $10,000 from her estate. Her wishes were that the hospital exist independently in perpetuity for welfare of the mentally ill.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />
The Retreat was founded in 1834 by [[Anna Marsh]], the widow of Dr. Perley Marsh, whose attempts to treat mental illness were frustrated by the lack of appropriate existing treatments. Marsh endowed the hospital (originally known as the Vermont Asylum for the Insane) with $10,000 from her estate. Her wishes were that the hospital exist independently in perpetuity for the welfare of the mentally ill.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />
[[Image:History1844.jpg|thumb|right|Brattleboro Retreat in 1844]]
[[Image:History1844.jpg|thumb|right|Brattleboro Retreat in 1844]]


Taking some inspiration from the [[York Retreat]] in England, the Brattleboro Retreat originated as an alternative to demeaning prisons and treatment methods. It focused on moral treatment that viewed mental illness as a medical condition rather than a character flaw or result of sin.<ref>''Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia'', Volume B. Boston</ref> The treatment methods emphasized fresh air, physical activity, educational enrichment, therapeutic farm and kitchen work, and supportive staff. It diverged from European [[moral therapy]] by not focusing on whether or not a patient was "moral" in their behavior. Some of the techniques used at the Brattleboro Retreat were influenced by the [[Quakers]] and [[Benjamin Rush]], a physician and American revolutionary.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />
Taking its inspiration from the [[York Retreat]] in England, the Brattleboro Retreat originated as an alternative to demeaning prisons and treatment methods. It focused on the concepts of "moral treatment" that viewed mental illness as a medical condition rather than a character flaw or result of sin.<ref>''Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia'', Volume B. Boston</ref> The treatment methods emphasized fresh air, physical activity, educational enrichment, therapeutic farm and kitchen work, and supportive staff. Some of the techniques used at the Brattleboro Retreat were influenced by the [[Quakers]] and [[Benjamin Rush]], a physician and American revolutionary.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />


==Leader in humane treatment==
==Leader in humane treatment==
[[Image:RetTow.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Retreat Tower]]
[[Image:RetTow.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Retreat Tower]]
The Brattleboro Retreat has been known throughout its history for adhering to its humane founding while integrating the newest methods of care. Instead of confining patients to a solitary existence, it actively engaged their strengths. The administration established these world firsts: patient-produced newspaper, bowling alley, chapel, theater, gymnasium, recreation fields, patient chorus, book discussion groups, outing club, working hospital dairy farm, patient-managed enterprises, and the first hospital swimming pool. Patients were taken on frequent trips and the community would join the patients for events. The facility has some locked units but there is no fence separating it from the community. Many aspects of the Brattleboro Retreat's medical care and physical design have been adopted by hospitals around the world.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />
The Brattleboro Retreat has been known throughout its history for adhering to the concepts of moral treatment while integrating the newest methods of care. Instead of confining patients to a solitary existence, it actively engaged their strengths. The administration established these world-firsts: patient-produced newspaper, bowling alley, chapel, theater, gymnasium, recreation fields, patient chorus, book discussion groups, outing club, working hospital dairy farm, patient-managed enterprises, and the first swimming pool in U.S. a psychiatric hospital. Patients enjoyed frequent outings and the community would often join the patients for events. The facility has some secure units but there is no fence separating it from the community. Many aspects of the Brattleboro Retreat's medical care and physical design have been adopted by hospitals around the world.<ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />


The Brattleboro Retreat cautiously approached methods like [[Electroconvulsive therapy|ECT]] and utilized them in a fairly limited capacity. Most patients have enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than at other institutions, with windowed bedrooms instead of cells or cages. Due to rapid construction, patients had large private rooms even as overcrowding became an issue at other hospitals, leading many historians to conclude that the Brattleboro Retreat is among few long-established psychiatric hospitals with an unblemished history. This dignity ended for many patients when state hospitals began to be built. Many long-term patients feared leaving their beloved home and tried to avoid transfer to state facilities. Some were literally dragged out of the Brattleboro Retreat to board buses to the new state hospital. This decrease in patient census was compounded by the loss of patients due to the development of mood stabilizing drugs. The hospital has used this open capacity for new programs such as specialty schools and outpatient resources.<ref>''The Village of Brattleboro'', Irling's Press (1977)</ref>
The Brattleboro Retreat cautiously approached treatment modalities such as [[Electroconvulsive therapy|ECT]] and utilized them in a fairly limited capacity. Today the Retreat's ECT clinic is closed. Most patients have enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than at other institutions, with windowed bedrooms instead of cells or cages. Due to rapid construction, patients had large private rooms even as overcrowding became an issue at other hospitals, leading many historians to conclude that the Brattleboro Retreat is among few long-established psychiatric hospitals with an unblemished history. This dignity ended for many patients when state hospitals began to be built. Many long-term patients feared leaving their beloved home and tried to avoid transfer to state facilities. Unfortunately, some were relocated to a new state hospital against their wishes. This decrease in patient census was compounded by the loss of patients due to the development of mood stabilizing drugs. The hospital has used this open capacity for new programs such as specialty schools and outpatient resources.<ref>''The Village of Brattleboro'', Irling's Press (1977)</ref> Recent innovative programs include a new inpatient unit for LGBT individuals, and a partial hospital/residential program for uniformed service professionals (police, fire, corrections, military and first responders)


The Brattleboro Retreat lacks the historical stigma associated with some psychiatric institutions due to its consistent focus on patient's individuality and fair treatment. A full staff of physicians, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and other medical personnel continue this tradition of patient care. <ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />
The Brattleboro Retreat lacks the historical stigma associated with some psychiatric institutions due to its consistent focus on patient's individuality and fair treatment. A full staff of physicians, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and other medical personnel continue this tradition of patient care. <ref name="Brattleboro Retreat 1989" />

Revision as of 12:34, 20 February 2010

Brattleboro Retreat
File:BratRet.jpg
Modern view of the western side of the Brattleboro Retreat campus
LocationLinden Street and Upper Dummerston Road,
Brattleboro, Vermont
NRHP reference No.84003478
Added to NRHPApril 12, 1984

The [Brattleboro Retreat] is a private, not-for-profit psychiatric hospital that pioneered mental health care in the United States. It is located on more than 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of land between the Connecticut River and downtown Brattleboro, Vermont. It treats all psychiatric issues through every modern modality, from outpatient addiction treatment to full hospitalization. It is a member of the Ivy League Hospitals.[1]

History

The Retreat was founded in 1834 by Anna Marsh, the widow of Dr. Perley Marsh, whose attempts to treat mental illness were frustrated by the lack of appropriate existing treatments. Marsh endowed the hospital (originally known as the Vermont Asylum for the Insane) with $10,000 from her estate. Her wishes were that the hospital exist independently in perpetuity for the welfare of the mentally ill.[1]

Brattleboro Retreat in 1844

Taking its inspiration from the York Retreat in England, the Brattleboro Retreat originated as an alternative to demeaning prisons and treatment methods. It focused on the concepts of "moral treatment" that viewed mental illness as a medical condition rather than a character flaw or result of sin.[2] The treatment methods emphasized fresh air, physical activity, educational enrichment, therapeutic farm and kitchen work, and supportive staff. Some of the techniques used at the Brattleboro Retreat were influenced by the Quakers and Benjamin Rush, a physician and American revolutionary.[1]

Leader in humane treatment

File:RetTow.jpg
Retreat Tower

The Brattleboro Retreat has been known throughout its history for adhering to the concepts of moral treatment while integrating the newest methods of care. Instead of confining patients to a solitary existence, it actively engaged their strengths. The administration established these world-firsts: patient-produced newspaper, bowling alley, chapel, theater, gymnasium, recreation fields, patient chorus, book discussion groups, outing club, working hospital dairy farm, patient-managed enterprises, and the first swimming pool in U.S. a psychiatric hospital. Patients enjoyed frequent outings and the community would often join the patients for events. The facility has some secure units but there is no fence separating it from the community. Many aspects of the Brattleboro Retreat's medical care and physical design have been adopted by hospitals around the world.[1]

The Brattleboro Retreat cautiously approached treatment modalities such as ECT and utilized them in a fairly limited capacity. Today the Retreat's ECT clinic is closed. Most patients have enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than at other institutions, with windowed bedrooms instead of cells or cages. Due to rapid construction, patients had large private rooms even as overcrowding became an issue at other hospitals, leading many historians to conclude that the Brattleboro Retreat is among few long-established psychiatric hospitals with an unblemished history. This dignity ended for many patients when state hospitals began to be built. Many long-term patients feared leaving their beloved home and tried to avoid transfer to state facilities. Unfortunately, some were relocated to a new state hospital against their wishes. This decrease in patient census was compounded by the loss of patients due to the development of mood stabilizing drugs. The hospital has used this open capacity for new programs such as specialty schools and outpatient resources.[3] Recent innovative programs include a new inpatient unit for LGBT individuals, and a partial hospital/residential program for uniformed service professionals (police, fire, corrections, military and first responders)

The Brattleboro Retreat lacks the historical stigma associated with some psychiatric institutions due to its consistent focus on patient's individuality and fair treatment. A full staff of physicians, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and other medical personnel continue this tradition of patient care. [1]

Campus

File:BratLin.jpg
Lawton Hall houses a gymnasium, theater, offices, the world's first hospital swimming pool (no longer used), and the Mulberry Bush Day Care. The four-faced lit clock tower is meant to offer a sense of passing time to sleepless patients

Until recently, the president of the Brattleboro Retreat was a doctor who has lived in the Main Building with his or her family. The last residents of the executive apartment were Dr. and Mrs. Beech.[1]

A unique lit clock tower with four faces sits atop a rotunda on Lawton Hall—a feature meant to give any sleepless patient a sense of the time. It is visible from everywhere on the 58-building campus. The college-like campus is situated on a grassy plain between a seasonally-flooding meadow and downtown Brattleboro. The hospital agreed to allow a hydroelectric company to flood the Retreat Meadows with the condition that it could be used for ice fishing, boating, and other recreation.[4]

The hospital has extensive landholdings throughout the area, including the site of the castle-like Retreat Tower, constructed by patients and staff in the late 1800s.[5] The Retreat Dairy Farm is now separate from the hospital but is well-preserved and still functional. Patients no longer work at the bakery or carpentry shops. Units have been adjusted for changing populations and are named after retired doctors, such as Tyler and Osgood.

The indoor swimming pool in Lawton Hall was the first at any hospital in the world. It was closed after a polio outbreak outside Vermont decades ago and was not reopened. A new complex featuring tennis courts and an outdoor pool give patients plenty of outdoor activities.

The land owned by the hospital is open to the public and can be hiked or cross-country skied. Dozens of ice fishing huts pop up each winter on the frozen Retreat Meadows. Occasionally, ice skating can be observed.


See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Brattleboro Retreat: The First 150 Years, Best Books (1989)
  2. ^ Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, Volume B. Boston
  3. ^ The Village of Brattleboro, Irling's Press (1977)
  4. ^ An Account of Brattleboro and its Environs, John Lawlor (1952)
  5. ^ Survey of buildings, http://www.crjc.org/heritage/V02-34.htm

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brattleboro_Retreat&oldid=345204741"