Architect Unknown Opened 1854 Added to NRHP 21 January 1994 | Built 1854 NRHP Reference # 93001483 Phone +1 413-283-3411 | |
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Architectural style Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman MPS Massachusetts State Hospitals And State Schools MPS Address 175 State Ave, Palmer, MA 01069, USA Hours Open today ยท Open 24 hoursThursdayOpen 24 hoursFridayOpen 24 hoursSaturdayOpen 24 hoursSundayClosedMondayOpen 24 hoursTuesdayOpen 24 hoursWednesdayOpen 24 hours Similar Templeton Developmental Center, Belchertown State School, Walter E Fernald Develop, Westborough State Hospital, Metropolitan State Hospital | ||
Urbex at monson developmental center
The Monson Developmental Center is a historic site at 200 State Avenue in Monson, Massachusetts. The property, whose core has been in state control since 1854, has housed a variety of facilities for providing services to the indigent or sick since then.
In 1854 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquired 175 acres (71 ha) of land in Monson, on which it erected an almshouse to provide facilities for poor immigrants fleeing the Irish Potato Famine. In 1855 it was renamed the State Farm School, and later the State Primary School, and it housed children who were wards of the state. It served in this role until 1887. In 1898 the state's Hospital for Epileptics opened on the grounds, using the old facilities and building several more buildings. Over the first half of the 20th century the facility was expanded, growing to 72 buildings on 662 acres (268 ha) of land.
The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Since then, its population has continued to decline, and the state in 2008 announced plans to close the facility. In 2012 the state relocated the last 31 residents, and began to consider the future of the property.