An impromptu visit with @SpiderMonkey while on the way back from Scotland turned out to be quite worthwhile. There was still some activity taking place inside the hospital, and we almost came face to face with staff on a few occasions, but managed to avoid them and the security team who are based inside.
History
In 1772, the then Archbishop of York, Robert Hay Drummond, brought together “twenty-four Yorkshire gentlemen” with the purpose of establishing a county lunatic asylum in York. The architect John Carr was co-opted, and by July 1773, £5,000 had been pledged, and Carr's initial design for a 54-bed hospital had been approved. The aim was to provide a proper, purpose-built asylum so that mentally ill people - rich and poor alike - would not end up in prison. The project was a fine example of the “striking local tradition of philanthropy”, says the York Civic Trust.
The first patients were admitted on November 1, 1777. Fees were charged from the beginning, initially 8 shillings a week for all patients, although paupers were paid for by the parish.
The hospital became part of the NHS in 1948, when the facilities were upgraded. In October 2015 the Care Quality Commission declared the building as unfit for purpose and the hospital’s sudden closure followed within a month.
Inside the main entrance
Corridor leading to the hall
The hall or "rec room"
Another ground floor corridor
Some of fantastic stained glass, timber-work and tiles that can be found throughout the hospital
The wards are quite posh, as hospitals go
Glass and timber
Day room
One of the wards. Each ward has a different colour scheme.
More stained glass
The brown corridor (it's probably not called that!)
The grey ward
Main staircase
That's your lot for now. There's more to see here. Go have a look!
History
In 1772, the then Archbishop of York, Robert Hay Drummond, brought together “twenty-four Yorkshire gentlemen” with the purpose of establishing a county lunatic asylum in York. The architect John Carr was co-opted, and by July 1773, £5,000 had been pledged, and Carr's initial design for a 54-bed hospital had been approved. The aim was to provide a proper, purpose-built asylum so that mentally ill people - rich and poor alike - would not end up in prison. The project was a fine example of the “striking local tradition of philanthropy”, says the York Civic Trust.
The first patients were admitted on November 1, 1777. Fees were charged from the beginning, initially 8 shillings a week for all patients, although paupers were paid for by the parish.
The hospital became part of the NHS in 1948, when the facilities were upgraded. In October 2015 the Care Quality Commission declared the building as unfit for purpose and the hospital’s sudden closure followed within a month.
Inside the main entrance
Corridor leading to the hall
The hall or "rec room"
Another ground floor corridor
Some of fantastic stained glass, timber-work and tiles that can be found throughout the hospital
The wards are quite posh, as hospitals go
Glass and timber
Day room
One of the wards. Each ward has a different colour scheme.
More stained glass
The brown corridor (it's probably not called that!)
The grey ward
Main staircase
That's your lot for now. There's more to see here. Go have a look!
