Boston Sanatorium Explained

Boston Sanatorium
Org/Group:Boston Consumptives Department
Location:Mattapan
Region:Boston
State:Massachusetts
Country:US
Coordinates:42.2728°N -71.0817°W
Funding:Government
Type:Specialist
Speciality:Tuberculosis
Former-Names:Boston Consumptives Hospital
Constructed:1908
Closed:Mid-1900s
Module:
Embed:yes
Boston Consumptives Hospital
Nrhp Type:hd
Nocat:yes
Architect:Maginnis & Walsh
James Ritchie
Added:February 7, 2002
Refnum:01001557

The Boston Sanatorium (originally named the Boston Consumptives Hospital) is a historic tuberculosis hospital in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It consists of a complex of eighteen historic buildings on 52acres of land. Most of these buildings were built between 1908 and 1932, although the Superintendent's House predates the hospital's construction; it is an Italianate house built c. 1856. They are predominantly brick buildings that are Colonial Revival in character, although the 1929 main administration building has a variety of different revival elements. Several of the buildings on the campus—The Administrative or Foley Building; The Doctor's Residences, Dormitories and Wards; and The Power House—were designed by the renowned architectural firm Maginnis and Walsh.[1] [2] The complex was the largest tuberculosis hospital in the state, built in response to reports that the disease was responsible for more deaths than any other in the city. The facility was used for the treatment of tuberculosis through the middle of the 20th century, and then stood largely vacant until 2002, when plans were laid to rehabilitate the property for other uses.[3]

The hospital site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dorchester Athenium.
  2. Web site: Boston Sanatorium - Asylum Projects. www.asylumprojects.org.
  3. Web site: NRHP nomination for Boston Consumptives Hospital. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.