The Gated Years State Hospital Michigan TTV Photography

The Traverse City State Hospital, also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum, was a psychiatric hospital located in Traverse City, Michigan, in the United States. It was constructed in the late 19th century, opening its doors in 1885, and was in operation for over a century, finally closing in 1989.

In the mid-20th century, the hospital faced overcrowding, which led to a decline in the quality of care. The hospital began to focus more on custodial care than rehabilitation, which resulted in a decline in patient outcomes. The hospital also faced financial difficulties, which led to the closure of several of its buildings. For years it was gated until it was renovated.

Today, many of the hospital’s original buildings remain standing and have been repurposed for other uses, such as housing and retail spaces. The hospital’s main building has been renovated and is now the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a mixed-use development that includes residential, retail, and office space. The hospital’s legacy lives on, and it is remembered as an important institution in the history of mental healthcare in the United States.

As the years go by…

As the years go by, this metal gate will naturally develop a thin layer of patina on its surface.  It gives a unique aged appearance and pop of color needed for the backdrop of the Traverse City State Hospital.  This process is a natural result of the metal reacting to the environment, and it will only add to this gate’s charm and character.