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Status: Former Insane Asylum; Private Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital; Grounds are Open to the Public
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History
In 1834 Anna Hunt Marsh left $10,000 in her will for the founding of an asylum to provide humane care of the mentally ill. It was originally called the Vermont Asylum for the Insane but changed its name in the late 19th century to the Brattleboro Retreat.
It was one of the first 10 private psychiatric institutions in the United States and is considered a pioneer in the medical treatment of the mentally ill. It has a remarkable history of firsts for those institutionalized for their mental illnesses including a patient run newspaper, gym and an indoor pool.
The hospital was one of the first to change both the treatment and the way society views the mentally ill. The insane would treated as ill not as flawed people being punished for their sins. They would be treated with respect and given a life filled with exercise, fresh air and good nutrition. Although there are secure buildings on the campus the facility is not separated by a fence from the community as it is at most similar institutions.
Until very recently the Retreat was only of the very few long-term psychiatric hospitals with no black marks on their history. Electro-shock was used very infrequently – this area is now closed – and other treatments such as insulin shock and lobotomies were not used at all. The patients, however, lived in fear of being involuntarily transferred to one of the State-run facilities were any sense of individuality and respect would quickly disappear.
The Retreat survived the closure of the giant psychiatric hospitals by opening new clinics for such groups as the LGBTQ and uniformed first responders and filling the suddenly empty beds.
Unfortunately, recently the facility has run into the financial difficulties that plagued the massive old asylums in the 1970’s and 80’s. In the last couple of years, the State has refused to help the Retreat financially – suggesting they should plan to sell or close the facility – and they’ve been put under investigation for taking 5 hours to get a patient to hospital for a broken hip. Mental health advocates have also accused them of overusing restraints as well.
Both the financial difficulties and use of restraints have gotten worse since the pandemic began.
This facility owns more than half the psychiatric beds in the State and has the only programs for children and adolescents so a closure would be disastrous to the community.
Paranormal Activity
Due to their near perfect record of treating patients as human beings this facility has no where near the paranormal activity that is recorded in the former giant insane asylums.
Activity has only been reported in 2 places:
The Retreat Tower
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In 1887 the patients built a brick tower on a hill on one side of the campus. It was meant to provide a calming view of the campus from above. Some patients, however, found another way to use the tower. The jumped from the top ending their lives.
The actual number of suicides is unknown, but the tower was closed up forever shortly after being opened. Apparitions are seen jumping off the top that fade away before hitting the ground. Phantom screams have been heard and feelings of hopeless are also reported here.
The Retreat Cemetery
Shadow figures and other movement seen in the corners or people’s eyes. Feelings of uneasiness, being watched, not being wanted and fear.