They Left Their Mark

When I was at NSH for the tour last September, my family and I made a trip to the hospital farm before we left town.

Here is something that my husband pointed out – little drawings in the cement. I never noticed them before.  But there they were, left behind for all time and eternity, a little reminder of someones past.  It gave me a smile as I looked down at them, tucked in remote corners of the barns. Someone leaving their sign in the drying cement several decades before.

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A Progress Report

A little progress report on how the second book is coming along. So far it’s fine. I’m getting excited. Will keep you posted as the release date draws near.

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NSH and Country Music Royalty

Just got word not too long ago that someone very famous in country music history played a gig at Northern State Hospital before she got famous. That person was  Loretta Lynn.

It was not so uncommon back in the day when the hospital was running at full swing for outside entrainment to be hired to play music for special occasions. Loretta Lynn was an unknown at that time, living in Lyndon Washington. She and her band were hired and played a gig at the hospital while she was still playing the local bar circuits.
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Humbling

I don’t know what it is about this picture of this particular patient working in the fields at the NSH farm, but it’s very humbling to me.
It kind of reminds me of those photos taken by that award winning photographer during the 1930s, capturing the essence of what was going on in the nation at that time.

Though I don’t think she was upset, just minding her own business doing what needed to be done. I think it projects her strength and perseverance. It’s just touching and humbling at the same time. A great shot.

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Agriculture

Back when Northern State was in its zenith, agriculture played a huge part.  Here, back in the 1950s, crews worked long and hard just to keep the operation going strong. Their efforts not only fed those that lived at this campus year round, but also many in the outside community.
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Split His Britches

This is probably the most candid I’ve ever gotten on this site. I call this post, split his britches, for obvious reasons…

These were taken out at the hospital farm during the 1950s. Doc Jones was the camera man. (Obviously, he was a man with a healthy sense of humor. )  I suspect these were patients on top of the roof.

And look, the other fella just figured it out!
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Work, Work, Work

At Northern State Hospital work was something that was always going on. Occupational Therapy played a huge roll while it was still legal for it to be employed.

Most patients who were physically able enjoyed it. Work gave them something to do, gave them a sense of accomplishment, and helped pass the time.

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Northern State Hospital

In 1946 Life Magazine ran a story that shocked a nation. It was simply called – Bedlam. Before this article came out speculation and rumors swirled about what was really going on behind mental asylum walls. But it was not until Albert Q. Maisel went straight into a place that few had any real comprehension of, that the shocking truth was exposed. The first place he went to was a dilapidated and overcrowded state hospital called Byberry. In the basement of this cesspool of disgrace, he saw and photographed a five word cryptic message that set the stage for things to come. It read, George was killed here 1937.

Little did anyone realize, 18 years before another Bedlam had occurred in rural Washington State. That hospital was Northern State Hospital for the Insane.

Northern State Hospital is a deep psychological thriller based on actual events. Not since One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, has a story been told so powerfully and raw. This story will take the reader back to a time and place that few can imagine but should not be forgotten.

Northern State Hospital, by Jeanie Bennett-Packer, is on sale now.
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Northern State Hospital News

In 2004 or 05, I did some work for PBS and they gave me several old issues from the campus newspaper, Northern State Hospital News. They date from the mid 1920s to early 1930s.

In the February 24, 1932 edition here is a sample of what they printed:

“Mr. J. Lindbloom, the man in charge of linen in Ward 10 is very efficient in his work which comprises fitting all the men out with clothes each bath day and also doing mending and tending to the incoming and outgoing laundry. His room where he caries on his work is always neat and clean and the clothes are all piled and neat. In fact we consider him the last word in the way as a clothes room man. John has been with us several years now. At one time he was head of the circulation department of the Seattle Times, for King Co.”

See, every walk of life came through the doors of Northern State.

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