Walking Tour of Historic Medfield State Hospital (Asylum)

    Improve listing Presented by

Opened in 1896 as the “Medfield Insane Asylum for the Chronic Insane,” the Medfield State Hospital closed its doors in 2003. The first state mental hospital in Massachusetts built on the “cottage plan,” it was organized with twenty-five buildings to house residents, a large barn, administration building, and a church, known as St. Jude’s Chapel. Join Dedham Historical Society & Museum board president Andrea Gilmore, and Peter Smith of Oxbow Partners, as they lead a tour of this historic compound.

Attendees will learn about the architectural history of the institution and challenges related to redevelopment, including recent plans set forth by the Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee, which include historic rehabilitation and new construction for residential and commercial use.

Gather at the parking lot on 45 Hospital Road, Medfield, MA (from Medfield, the lot is on the right); do not meet at the hospital (located 1 Stonegate Drive). There are no facilities. Wear comfortable shoes. Please arrange your own transportation.