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Fergus Falls State Hospital

Fergus Falls, MN

Constructed: 1888-1907

Closed: 2007

Architect: Warren B Dunnell

Status: Closed and awaiting reuse

NRHP: Listed

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Join us! Registration at link in bio.

Join us! Registration at link in bio.

Happy birthday, Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride! (BTD i

Happy birthday, Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride! (BTD in 1809)

“The best kind of hospitals — not only best built, but with the most perfect arrangements and fixtures of every kind, and managed in the most liberal and enlightened manner — are sure to be most economical in the end.” (TSK, 1854)

Kirkbride Plan hospitals manifested a generous – if utopian – confidence in the power of architecture and landscape design to repair mental wellbeing. Embodying Enlightenment Quaker beliefs in the therapeutic powers of architecture, beauty, nature, and respectful care, these remarkable and complex structures were conceived as self-sustaining havens, offering dignified places for the placeless.

- Dr. Robert Kirkbride
Spokesperson, PreservationWorks

Happy birthday to one of our Trustees, Maianne Pre

Happy birthday to one of our Trustees, Maianne Preble! Maianne got started with PreservationWorks after doing her Master’s thesis on developing a universal significance statement for hospitals built following the Kirkbride-plan and pairing that with an in depth look at preservation and rehabilitation opportunities for such "white elephants." Have a wonderful day, Maianne!

Happy birthday to our Secretary, Ray Staten!! Ray

Happy birthday to our Secretary, Ray Staten!! Ray first got involved with PreservationWorks “to use my skills gained as an architecture student as well as my skills running an abandoned property at the former Cresson Sanatorium to help preserve Kirkbride buildings for the future". We hope you’ve had a fantastic day, Ray!

Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Happy birthday to one of our Trustees, Rusty Tagli

Happy birthday to one of our Trustees, Rusty Tagliareni! Rusty got involved with PW because he sees it as “the natural continuation of the fight to save Greystone. Though that building was lost, I feel that PreservationWorks keeps Greystone’s spirit alive.” Have a fabulous day, Rusty!

@kirkbridepreservationworks

FACEBOOK POSTS

September 10th

The Friends of the Historic Commons is excited to announce that Rotary Charities has awarded a Seed Grant of $10,000 to Friends of Historic Commons to support their work toward preserving The Historic Commons Arboretum. The award will help the non-profit undertake a Tree Risk Assessment, measuring the health of each of 465 trees that remain from plantings by Dr. James Decker Munson, the first superintendent of the former Traverse City State Hospital. The trees are living symbols of Dr. Munson’s philosophy that “beauty is therapy,” a part of the “therapeutic landscape” at the State Hospital campus. Last year the nonprofit Friends of Historic Commons completed an updatedinventory of the Arboretum, documenting each tree’s GPS location, genus, and species. The information is viewable in a Google map under the Arboretum project on the Friend’s website, friendsofhistoriccommons.org.The Seed Grant will partially fund the next phase toward preserving the Arboretum. The assessment will provide specific maintenance recommendations for each tree, leading to a prioritized plan for action. The recommendations will be shared with the property owners and stakeholdersaround the Commons.The Friends of the Historic Commons 501(c)3 organization exists to celebrate, preserve, protect, and enhance the development of the structures, landscapes, historic vision, and cultural significance of the complete former home of the Traverse City State Hospital. The group serves as a conduit for mission-fitprojects for this historic campus that impact the many constituents who call the Grand Traverse Commons ‘home.’Visit the website to support the preservation of the arboretum:friendsofhistoriccommons.org ... See MoreSee Less

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August 18th

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August 15th

Join us for the exciting launch of our new Preservation Workshop group! This upcoming workshop is just the start of many exciting things to come, so give this new page a follow as well!Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a preservationist? Are you interested in learning how to raise awareness about a threatened site in your community, but are unsure where to start?Join us for an open roundtable conversation as members of Preservation Workshop discuss how they began and advanced in their journey’s as grassroot preservationists. The first of its public programming series, members will share tips, guidance, and resources found to be useful for prospective preservationists, as well as those with a general interest in the field. A Q&A session will follow to close the workshop.Registration link is in the comments! ... See MoreSee Less

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