Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (Trenton, NJ) -- Stephanie Cushman

When was this "asylum" opened, and what did it look like? Did it follow Kirkbride's design? 

~ The doors opened on the May 15th, 1849 and its capacity was around 90 patients. This institution was the first public institution to employ the Kirkbride Plan, which promoted patient privacy and a welcoming, naturally lit environment.

~ The hospital opened originally as the New Jersey State Hospital at Trenton in 1848. Later known as the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum and then Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (TPH), which is what it’s known as today.  

What was this institution's original intent?

~ This asylum was founded by Dorothea Dix, it was quite the effort that took years. She decided to put interest in this asylum due to certain cases. This asylum was intended to take a portion of residents from each of New Jersey counties. Trenton Psychiatric Hospital was self-sufficient with its own kitchens, gardens, laundries, livestock, and much more. There was more buildings added in within the years to house more patients. There was a main house that provided these necessities and separate dorms/wards for males and females. The additional buildings were added in 1855 that increased the capacity of patients by another 250 patients and caregivers. These added in buildings also served other purposed than to house patients, they served scientific purposes as well. There was a laboratory built and more to help the functioning of the asylum. There was different facilities dedicated to those who were deemed incurable as well as more wealthier patients as well. Dorothea Dix intent for this asylum was to humanely house and care for people whose mental illness made it impossible to be cared for safely in a non-institutionalized setting. 

 ~ When the asylum first opened, it was under superintendent Dr. Buttolph, where the asylum housed 86 patients. Under his supervision, the buildings were improved and enlarged from time to time new ones were erected to meet certain requirements. There was new buildings that accommodated the Randolph museum and reading room in 1855. There was new building for laundry supplied in 1858, alongside with several billiard tables for both men patients and women patients. The superintendent at this time believed that healthful exercise to the body and limbs would help significantly with concentrating the attention of the mental facilitates of many spectators as well as those directly engaging in it. In 1866, two new wing s were added to the building, one for women and one for men. These additions had more lighting, heating, drainage, plumbing, and furnishing. Dr. Ward replaced Dr. Buttolph and served for 40 years, leaving a rich legacy. There was a division due to a new institution opening where 292 patients (139 men and 153 women) were removed from care at Trenton and moved to the new institution. On October 31, 1876 there remained 251 men and 221 women for a total of 472 inmates. 

~Dr. Ward was succeeded by Dr. Henry Cotton who was convinced that mental illness was caused by infection and began the practices of removing patients limbs, teeth, tonsils, and other body parts (e.g., organs) in hopes to remove infection or to prevent its spread. Dr. Cotton was  a mad doctor who caused a extremely high number of fatalities of patients. Despite these high numbers, no one stopped him. He was essentially a murderer and was maiming patients. Dr. Cotton even did this against the will of the patients and didn’t get permission from family members of the patients. Even after Dr. Cotton left the asylum the practices of removing teeth continued for 30 years, until the 1960s which continued his legacy of suffering. TPH now believes in a holistic approach to patient care. Working together with the direct staff to ensure the patient and the patient’s family competent, compassionate care ago achieve individualized patent care goals. 

How many people lived, worked, and died there? 

 ~ There has been a lot of patients to come and go throughout the existent of Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (TPH). It is hard to collect the amount of people who lived, worked a, and died there because it is still running to date. 

~ On October 31 1912 the hospital had a total of 1451 patients — 742 men and 709 women. During that year 488 patients were admitted (282 men and 206 worn). There was two men who escaped but returned, and 11 patients nominally admit for discharge a the end of their four months visit— the number of admissions would be 501, making the total number under care 1,952. 

~ Exactly a year later there was 1547 patients (781 men and 766 women) 

~ A year later there was 1539 patients (787 men and 752 women) 

~ In 1954 there were 4,237 patients hospitalized at TPH 

~ In 1968 there were under 2,8000 patients 

~ Today the hospital has a capacity of 376 beds 

~ Under Dr. Cotton’s management hundreds (to be known) patients died from post-surgical infections due to antibiotics not being in use. After his death in 1933, a review found his medical procedures killed 45% of his patients 

Were bad conditions ever exposed to the public? How?

~ Dr. Cotton made it known what he was doing at the hospital, referring to himself to be a pioneer in treating mental illness. He published many papers on his work. The public is well aware of the practices that were done under the management of Dr. Cotton. All of my resources acknowledge and state the horrors of this. 

~ There has been evidence of ghostly activities but many paranormal researchers. There has been sighted: Doctor Cotton’s apparition (by sight), ghost of patients with missing limbs, disembodied voices, and orbs. 

~ There was also questions leading to concerns great enough to send investigators to the asylum. There was coverups being done which continue even to date. The real truth about what happened after Dr. Cotton left could still be covered up. 

Would you have wanted “treatment” in this institution?

~ No, I would not want to receive treatment in this institution. The way Dr. Cotton went about treatments was barbaric and costed patients their lives. The institution has evolved a lot over the years and they now take a holistic approach that focuses on the individual and provides compassionate care. If I was to need treatment now, I would consider the new TPH, not old. 

References 

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/involved/nurses/mentalhph/tph.html

https://www.ghostlyactivities.com/trenton-psychiatric-hospital-hauntings/

https://the-line-up.com/trenton-psychiatric-hospital

https://www.worldabandoned.com/trenton-psychiatric-hospital

https://asylumprojects.org/index.php/Trenton_State_Hospital