Welcome to the Hudson River State Hospital located in the United States in Poughkeepsie, New York. This gigantic hospital has overlooked the Hudson River for 136 years since its initial construction in 1871. The various hospital buildings were constructed and belong to the famous Kirkbride architectural order (read more on this excellent website).
The hospital was divided into two wings, for male and female patients, with an administration section located in the center. The male wing was much larger than the respective female wing. This was caused by the number of patients being unequal between the sexes (see the sky view from the hospital using the link above).
The beauty of the decay was unbelievable in this hospital. Most of the original constructions had been preserved.
Future renovation construction of the hospital were planned long ago. A fire, caused by lightning, burned the male wing in June 2007. As of the date of this article, the fate of Hudson Psyche Center remains unknown.
Hopefully this awesome Kirkbride will be saved. The United States is certainly not Europe and listing historical buildings as monuments might not be enough to protect them…
Archive documents dated between 1891 and 1918 (click on a thumbnail to enlarge):
Special thanks to Dr. Bob for sharing the old postcards.
Reference for the scanned documents: Handbook of the State Hospital Commission and the Hospitals for the Insane, 1918, E.S.Graney.
Hey guys just letting you know I just completed two series of video's on YouTube. One is on Kings Park and one is on Hudson in HD. You can find them by searching the username "bikercrze1" or just follow either of these links to the playlists. I have two series of Kings Park but one is older.
Hudson River State Hospital: www.youtube.com
Kings Park Psychiatric Center Series 1 www.youtube.com
Kings Park Psychiatric Center Series 2 www.youtube.com
Kathy (and Wardy)- In your book (on pages 74-75), you said the ride was about 15 mins from the Main building to Hillcrest which is in the way back of the property. That is correct. Also, I also have a map of the grounds- I can positively identify 121 of the buildings.(My map was updated in the early 1980's.) You can also read this on web.lemoyne.edu. I know names mean nothing, since anyone can write anything, but also you can check out my HRSH Facebook page if you want to. It is under "Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing (HR Psychiatric Center)". The map with the key are posted there. Also, if you click on the map on this site, and follow Hudson View Drive to Paint Shop Road to West Cottage Road to Cheney Drive to Snow Terrace, you will see Hillcrest House (as it is now called) partway up the hill. Also check out: www.hudsonriverhousing.org The address is listed on the sidebar of that website too. I am not trying to be difficult, but just don't want misinformation to be on the web. I also checked with the president of the HRSH Alumni Association who has the original plans for the property at the HRSH museum, and she also confirmed for me that this is the one and only Hillcrest school site. Oja- thanks so much for the links.
Whos been here lately?! hows security and everything else looking?? any more graffiti destroying this great place?? Havent been there in about 4 months!crappy weather. Hope to hear from you!!!
Wardy if u get the chance u should send me those videos I never got to watch all of them so if u get the chance man I'd love to see the rest of them.. Thanks man
Ok, but you first.
Everyone here kill yourselves.
I took my youtube down Because people were learning to much from them and then calling me a cop lolol, then they were going and destroying the places I was showing!. I still have all of my videos and them some on my flash drive.... I have a strong love for this place and its history.....
Hillcrest really is on the other side of route 9g, and is a homeless shelter, but it is run by the county and not the state. If you go up Cottage Rd to Cheney Drive, it's right up there. There are still a few buildings up in that area that were part of Hudson River. I just looked, and you can see it on the map on this page.
Wardy where did all your YouTube videos go ? Did u remove them .? I enjoyed watching them
I lost your E-mail..you can ,mail me @ wardyward1184@yahoo.com.. HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU SOON.... this page is still full of people that know everything!!!!! I would like one of your books that was not fixed with your autographed lol "I SEE YOU"
Hey Wardy, how you doin? Of course you are right, and I appreciate your worrying about my anonymity, no need. Jeanne from the class of 74 wouldn't know since Hillcrest was closed before she graduated. After selling a number of copies, someone finally told me the errors in the printing so if you would like, I will send you an autographed copy of the new and improved book. You still have my email addy, don't you? If you feel more secure going by Ebay, it's listed there as well.
my friend and i are going there today! has anyone caught anything paranormal there ?? and how's the security situation??
Went there tonight just before 6 PM, walked up toward Ryon Hall. Turned to leave, saw somebody walking with something on their head, possibly night vision. We said hey and they dropped to the ground. If you think this is you, email me, I would like to talk to you. Tell us what we said to you before we left. email: gengar1221@gmail.com
Was pretty sketchy seeing someone else in the pitch black.
No disrespest, not for nothing Jeanne But I am sorry I think you are wrong sorry........ I don't need to prove anything I told you how I know where it was. Just prove what you are saying it true.. I will ay say sorry for being wrong... till then. that place is gone!!! and I have proof... I JUS WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!! names mean nothig on here
Sorry this took so long. I heard the same thing about Hillcrest being repurposed. I also have Kathy's book 'Turning 15 in the Loony Bin'. Anyway. Here's the video from a documentary on mental illness where Hudson River State Hospital was still in operation. Skip to 13:00 for the grounds and some patients
13:00 m.youtube.com And from 1991, same documentary series, shows j. Miller walking through an abandoned section of the wards and opening a door to reveal a part still in operation. Shocking. 0:00-4:33 m.youtube.com
Hillcrest was actually "Hillcrest School for Children". It was a building that housed and schooled children up to 16 years of age. It was NOT near the top of the golf course off the Kirkbride. The building still stands today, and is now a homeless shelter. It is on the upper campus which is on the other side of route 9G. The campus safety building is on the same street. They may still patrol the main grounds or not, I don't know, but they DO patrol the upper campus area. The few buildings up there are still open in various capacities, and are still owned and run by the state. It's possible that the company that bought the Main campus is paying for the security to do rounds there too. I don't know. Having been to nursing school there, I am sure that is where Hillcrest is/was. The book that is referred to is "Turning 15 in the Loony Bin" by Kathy L . Hiatt. Oja- would you please post that link when you can? Thanks.
Hillcrest is gone!!!! you have no idea what you are talking about...
Hillcrest was on the top of the golf course on the North side of the Kirkbride off the front!!!!! I know some one who went there and wrote a book, she showed me on a map and then I went there... Sorry man you can not get more of soiled source then that!! I have so much info on Hillcrest...
KR1... YOU ROOKIE!!! YOU NEED DO SIT BACK AND DO SOME MORE BOOK WORK, TRYING TO PUT PEOPLE IN THE WRONG PLACE LOLOLOL O WELL I GUESS THIS IS WHY YOU START THINGS!!!! YOUR JUST JEALOUS LOLOL its ok people are who they are.......
Good ol Wardy! Funny how you resurface when so much craziness is going on up at hudson! Coincidental i think not. You've always been a suspicious fellow and if everyone would take the time to scroll down through all the old comments they'd see what kind of person you are, my advice to everyone on here don't share any info with this kid and be mindful (as you always should!) because these realtors and security groups do read through these forums and thats how they find out about entry points and info about these locations then of course you have people like wardy who have no problem sharing info with these hick caretakers just to gain his own access. There is no little honda/security car and never has been its just town cops, state troopers and caretakers. And Oja Hillcrest is now in use its an old school on violet ave. Theres been alot of scrappers up here lately and I advise anyone who comes across them either bust em in the face or hop out and call the cops yourself because these dirtbags need to be stopped as hudson from last year to now has been damaged significantly.
Where is Hillcrest school?
Our birthdays are so close Wardy. I was up there in Halloween but my birthday was 11/01/12. 10 days apart but I wonder who's older? Oh, yeah Jeanne, I post the link, just gotta get to a computer.
How many morgues are up their.I know of the one up in back behind Kirkbride, but is there any other ones like in Ryon Hall or Chenney.THX
Where is the plaque commemorating the veterans? I'm guessing on the American Legion building? Where can I find the video of the Kirkbride when it was open? I would love to see it. I "worked" there 1972-1974 during nursing school. I've looked at everything I can find on youtube, and couldn't find it there or in a Google search. Would really appreciate it. Thanks.
DAM BX1983, that sucks. I have herd of many people ggetting caught BUT NOT TO MANY getting booked..The Last time I went was on my birthday 11-11-12. I was going home ridding my bike, and sitting in the parking lot by ryon hall and channy was THE SECURITY!!! in a little Honda civic!!! It said security in the front window and the back.... it was a young guy in his early to mid thirties... I went over to him, as he was coming for me as well, he told me that he was sitting there because he heard loud noises of people smashing things,"""I HATE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THAT!!!!"". Well I heard them as well and that is why I was I TOLD HIM THE DIRECTION OF THE NOISE!!!!! well where exactly I heard it,, In the ROOKIE section lol. I told him I lived on 9g and was passing through to get to the river and we went our separate ways..( O I found some things down there as well).. The other morgue, well i don't want to talk about it!!!! lets just say IT IS DESTROYED!!! IT is all graffiti up like crazy((( ALL OLD STUFF WELL MOST OF IT)) I cant believe people don't know more about it lol..............
I know there are two plaques. Well I think there are. There is one giving administration historic landmark designation and the other for commemorating veterans. I can't believe someone stole the landmark designation but I'm wondering when they noticed it was gone. I don't want to make it seem like the city doesn't really care but they've let what's left get so bad and they seem more interested in tearing things down than fixing. They could make money by giving tours too and history. Anyway, I know it's far fetched I just want the place to be preserved. Helm anyone see that video of the kirkbride when it was actually open with patients?
Per Historic51.org: "The National Historic Landmark designation plaque which until recently had adorned the Administration Building, has been stolen. Anyone with information pertaining to the theft of this plaque is urged to contact us. A cash reward will be given to anyone who provides information leading to the return of the plaque. Thank you." It's sad enough that HRSH is my Alma Mater and dying a slow death anyway, but I am so angry about this. It was probably taken for scrap. So much damage has been to this place, and it ruins things for everyone. I hope someone turns in the thief, and gets a nice reward. And, sad to say, I hope the thief suffers!!!
WARDY!!! What's up!? Went up there a few weeks ago and everything was pretty much accessible minus Ryon Hall. Burned the daylight showing my friends around and finally got into the morgue. The only freaky thing was that while we were in the morgue a white pickup truck drove by outside but other than that we didn't encounter any patrols or anything. My first time being there during the day in a long time and it's become real clear where most of the access points are. Got into the what was left of the male backward but didn't really want to explore it until I saw access to the female ward and it was too darn late in the day. I think I know where that freaky room in the tunnels is and it'll be my target next time I get up there. Sucks that BX1983 got picked up by the police, I think it's so petty they want to arrest and book people for their curiosity but in all fairness we are breaking the law. How did you guys get caught? By the Grace of God I am always fortunate to just miss patrols. I didn't want to believe they were actually arresting people but that really sucks. We take a risk and we are trespassing but I always do it with respect and pure curiosity... And some thrill. Lets not forget that the authorities are protecting us from the inherent danger and by doing what they're doing they are protecting the town and preserving what is left of this amazingly alluring relic. Plus they're only doing their jobs. What happened after they booked you? Do you pay a fine and leave? Sit in jail? I wonder if they ever caught the scrappers. Most of the copper is stripped out of the place.
Be careful....went back for the second time and got picked up by the Mental Health Police...didn't know that they are really just security guards so we didn't try to run. We were honest and upfront...we didn't steal anything. They looked through our photos and then called the Town of Poughkeepsie police who against there wishes booked us..Be careful they were all over the place looking for people!
I think ive been in that room before .Do you get to that room from the low ceiling tunnel off the main tunnels and it leads up to the basement of another building where this room is .Did it have a metal door that locked from the inside and was about a 8x10 room with electrical wires coming out of the wall and floor through a concrete slab that may have had a chair bolted their and also had a drain in the center of the room .Very strange room not sure what it was used for.
i know of the morgue up behind the kirkbride in the back,but where is the other morgue at.any in Ryon Hall or Cheney.
YAAAA i took all my videos down from my youtube.. It seems that all you fake people were looking at my videos and IT WAS HELPING EVERYONE!! I dont want to help just anyone.... people have said I am cop!!!! lolol you guys are shot lol.. I, along with about 2 other people are some of the only ones (give or take) who know every way in and every way out and that is a fact!!!!!! and YES THERE IS A MORGUE ON THE 2ND FLOOR!!! THERE ARE 2 MORGUES!!! well i just stoped by to see nothing has changed
Whats up kr1-845 & oja WHATS UP!!!!!!
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