Athina State Hospital Tuberculosis Ward*
Athina State Hospital's main Kirkbride building was built in 1874, but it would be another 50 years before this separate building, for mentally ill patients with tuberculosis, would be built in 1924. Located up on a hill above the asylum, the tuberculosis ward was to address the growing epidemic, and while open porches were designed to allow patients to take in fresh air (a vital component to their treatment), the steel mesh over the windows left little doubt about whether or not their stay was mandatory. The presence of stickers on windows, hopscotch and foursquare markings on the floor, and the word "FUN" on one of the upper level doors seems almost cruelly out of place, but the building was briefly used as a daycare after its use as a hospital ceased in the late 1970s.
Despite being somewhat small and devoid of many artifacts, I had a good time visiting this site as my close friends James and Brianna were with me. I remember James, peering out a broken door panel with a bandana covering the lower half of his face, as though he was a gangster on the run from the law. This was one of my earlier photo trips, well before I had any familiarity with photography technique, and the first gallery to be added to this website.
Please note that the true name of this location has not been disclosed to prevent theft, vandalism, and arson. Abandoned buildings are vulnerable and I do not want my work contributing to their decline. Photographs and unattributed text by Matthew Christopher. For more images click the thumbnails below.
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