May 7th, 2010
Hidden Columbia on South Carolina State Hospital
Hidden Columbia, a local news segment on ABC’s Columbia, SC affiliate, recently put together a report on the history of South Carolina State Hospital. It’s a reasonably in-depth look at the hospital’s story with a few surprising details among the typical, to-be-expected facts. You can view all five currently released parts online by following the links below. I’m not sure if there are more parts coming in the future, but I’ll add the links here if they do.
Hidden Columbia
- The State Carolina State Hospital Part 1
- The State Carolina State Hospital Part 2
- The State Carolina State Hospital Part 3
- The State Carolina State Hospital Part 4
- The State Carolina State Hospital Part 5
Watching these, I’m especially struck by how much the history of these hospitals all followed the same trajectory: a founding with much fanfare and optimism, early success giving way to hard times and overcrowding, then reform and a long slow decline terminated by closure or radical down-sizing.
Similar Posts:
- Speak Out for Columbia September 15, 2009
- Columbia State Hospital Sale OK’ed June 16, 2011
- Preserving Columbia February 10, 2009
- More Kirkbride Buildings April 2, 2008
- Doctor Bryce’s Hospital April 6, 2008
How do I find records from my great great grandfathers admissions to S,.C. Lunatic Asylum in the 1850’s??? He was a physician and did well the rest of his life.
I am curious if it is possible to get permission granted to do an EVP session in the original Asylum. You may contact me for further elaboration.
Thank you,
D. Frederick
Good evening,
I am trying to locate any information on my decesased mother. She use to work for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. She attended/graduated from what she refered to as “The Old Columbia Hospita”. At one time she had a photo her entire class becaues I believe they were the first black graduating class of black nurses. I should would appreciate any help or guidance you maybe able to provided. Thank you.
Missing my mother,
Rhonda Owens
I AM SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MY LATE GRANDFATHER WHO WAS A NAVY OFFICER THAT WAS VERY SICK AND HE WAS TRANSFERED TO THE LUNATIC ASYLUM DURING THE 1960′S AND DIED THERE IN JUNE 1968 FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD HE WAS ALONE AND NO ONE NEVER VISITED EXCEPT MY DAD THE OLDEST SON.TIL THIS DAY MY FATHER BECOMES DISTANT AND SILENT WHEN I ASK HIM ABOUT GRANDDAD.HE WAS UPSET ALOT BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CLAIM HIS FATHERS BODY SO HE WAS DONATED TO SCIENCE.IM A GRAND DAUGHTER WHO HAS NEVER MET HER GRANDFATHER WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MY FAMILY HISTORY IT SEEMS LIKE I AM LOST IN MANY WAYS NOT KNOWING WHERE I CAME FROM IN RESPECTS TO MY FATHERS SIDE OF HE FAMILY.YOUR HELP WILL GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU OR READING MY LETTER. CANOTTA
Interested in photos of the Asylum and cemetery and any history or articles connected with the institution over the years…some records of patients may be found at the SCDAH in Columbia…