If you want to do something a bit off the beaten path this weekend, how about take a walk through Oregon history at the Oregon State Hospital’s Museum of Mental Health. Situated in the still-standing building of the original mental hospital, touring the hospital provides both an interesting look at the people once housed here, as well as many of the near-insane ways they have been treated over the years. Built in 1883, this hospital has a lot of stories to tell, and thankfully, you can visit and learn all about them in this creepy building rich with history.
Kirill Ignatyev / Flickr Located in Salem, many parts of the original building still remain in use, while others are shut off due to disrepair. A newer wing was completed in 2011 where much of the patient care takes place today.
Travel Salem / Flickr The grounds look inviting from the outside, but have little indication of the horrors that took place inside.
Travel Salem / Flickr You can stroll the campus when you tour the hospital. It is estimated that two-thirds of the population here were both mentally insane and found guilty of a crime.
Travel Salem / Flickr So many terrifying stories haunt these walls. In 1942, 47 people were killed and many others sickened when poison used to kill bugs was accidentally used in place of flour in the kitchen.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook Enter the museum and you will learn about many of the truly horrifying treatments carried out on patients here.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook Exhibits line the halls which were once filled with patients. The museum made its way into pop culture when used as the filming location for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and still stands today as the state’s only psychiatric hospital.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook You will get a great overview of the changing treatments over the years, as the hospital takes you through mental health from the late 1800s to today.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook While the rooms are all remodeled, there is still a creepy presence throughout the museum.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook The hospital has garnered much controversy over the years for subpar patient care, as well as losing 1,500 cans of patient remains. If these walls could talk, they would certainly have something to say.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook The children’s wing of the hospital closed in 2005, but the history of adolescent care can also be explored here.
The Oregon State Hospital Museum for Mental Health is located at 2600 Center Street in Salem, and is a great place to visit for anyone interested in Oregon history or mental health.
Kirill Ignatyev / Flickr
Located in Salem, many parts of the original building still remain in use, while others are shut off due to disrepair. A newer wing was completed in 2011 where much of the patient care takes place today.
Travel Salem / Flickr
The grounds look inviting from the outside, but have little indication of the horrors that took place inside.
You can stroll the campus when you tour the hospital. It is estimated that two-thirds of the population here were both mentally insane and found guilty of a crime.
So many terrifying stories haunt these walls. In 1942, 47 people were killed and many others sickened when poison used to kill bugs was accidentally used in place of flour in the kitchen.
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health / Facebook
Enter the museum and you will learn about many of the truly horrifying treatments carried out on patients here.
Exhibits line the halls which were once filled with patients. The museum made its way into pop culture when used as the filming location for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and still stands today as the state’s only psychiatric hospital.
You will get a great overview of the changing treatments over the years, as the hospital takes you through mental health from the late 1800s to today.
While the rooms are all remodeled, there is still a creepy presence throughout the museum.
The hospital has garnered much controversy over the years for subpar patient care, as well as losing 1,500 cans of patient remains. If these walls could talk, they would certainly have something to say.
The children’s wing of the hospital closed in 2005, but the history of adolescent care can also be explored here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.