Iconic (One Flew over the Cuckoos nest), scary (inside the rooms are tiny but have very high–possibly 12 or 14 foot–ceilings, and feel like misery contained) and yet even so..even so..there’s something. One section of the building has been cared for and painted and next to it a section just let go and that was a choice made to remove the building from the landscape. As one of the last surviving (only 3 or 4 left) Kirkbride hospitals in it’s original park-like setting the removal of the building (and then subsequent development of a gorgeous parcel of land) is unsettling.
On The Way 
Agree. Sigh. What are the plans for this landscape?
I can only imagine. Hooray for 49 though. One small step.
The Historic Salem website has quite an interesting discussion of the Hospital, and of Dr. Kirkbride. Scary looking perhaps, but Dr. Kirkbride pioneered methods of humane treatement for the mentally ill, and worked endlessly to give the patients the best care possible. This at a time when the most common form of treatment was beyond dismal. One of the reasons that the grounds are so beautiful is that this was part of what he believed should be a portion of the treatment – beautiful, lush settings, often tended and developed by the patients themselves. His is a touching story of tireless work for the ill, and an advocacy of gentleness and humane care for people who eeven now often get dsiposed of without thought. The place should be sacred ground.