I've done several posts on this blog about Old Bryce Hospital, the state's former giant mental hospital in Tuscaloosa that opened in 1861. One described a quick visit made to the site with several family members in 2014 just before it closed. Others take a look at older photos related to the facility, an aerial view in 1943, and 1916 photos of sewing and other activities by residents. This post shares some photos I took on another quick visit with son Amos in January 2023.
Several years ago the University of Alabama purchased the closed hospital, and it is now undergoing extensive renovation for a welcome center, the theater and dance school and a mental health museum. You can read a recent newspaper article about the present status here. More history of Bryce can be found in this article. The renovated building is expected to open in late 2023.
A few more comments are below.
These two photos are from our 2014 visit and show the old portico. Construction began in 1853 but was not finished until 1859. Peter Bryce was hired as superintendent and the Alabama Insane Hospital finally opened with patients in 1861. The portico was not original and added later while Bryce was still superintendent. The structure was not safe and need to be replaced.
I worked there in the late sixties while going to school at UA. One of the first things we were taught in orientation was CPR. On one of the first meals I accompanied my group to there was a woman, not in our group who started choking. Having just been taught the Heimlich maneuver, I rushed over and applied it to the woman, the food popped out and she started breathing again. This was such a good feeling that I changed my area of study and ended up in a healthcare career. Aside from that initial excitement, I found the whole experience very interesting and rewarding, if sometimes strange. I worked the night shift after all.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the University is doing something with this historical property. Thanks for posting the pictures and reminding me of the old days.
Betty B