Hudson River State Hospital, Administration Building, July 2011.
From our Instagram post this morning:
“We are extremely saddened to share news that the central administration building at the former Hudson River State Hospital is suffering what appears to be a devastating fire this morning, Friday, April 27, 2018. While much of the former hospital – one of the architectural marvels of the Hudson Valley – seemed destined for demolition, preservationists pinned their hopes on saving this central focal point of the complex. The work of the same designers who created Central Park, the administration building and original patient wings are among some 2,500 sites designated as National Historic Landmarks by the US Department of the Interior. Unfortunately, this honorific designation comes with no powers of protection. Despite the efforts of preservationists, the
@PoughkeepsieJournal today reports that “Hudson Heritage developers have said they will need to demolish every building.” Photo by @kempterfirewire. More images of today’s fire @poughkeepsiefire_l596 Thanks to @mc_poo for the alert.”
Hudson River State Hospital, Administration Building, April 27, 2018.
Photograph by Kempter’s Fire Wire.
Hudson River State Hospital, Administration Building, April 27, 2018.
Photograph by Kempter’s Fire Wire.
Hudson River State Hospital, Administration Building, April 27, 2018.
Photograph by Kempter’s Fire Wire.
Links to this Developing Story:
Poughkeepsie Journal – “Arson triggered Hudson River Psychiatric Center fire: chief”
Fairview Fire District – Press Release.
Preservationworks: Hudson – Hudson Heritage Town Planning workshop, where the property developer announced plans to demolish the administration building. Meeting video available at youtube.
Thank you to Kempter’s Fire Wire for allowing use of the photographs.
Wow! This is the first I’ve heard of it. Is the structure still standing? All those magnificent, bldgs. ….!
Another great loss for the Hudson Valley. Thanks for alerting us Rob.
You’re welcome, Karen.
Sad indeed, with every act of arson, or severe weather, when one of these structures is destroyed or damaged and is slated for demolition, what most people do not realize is you can never get it back.
Some people will say so what. For myself, that is the wrong answer. Architecturally, you would be hard-pressed to find any mason in this day and age that could do the artisanal brickwork that these magnificent buildings are known for.
It breaks my heart every time I witness one of these beautiful old buildings being torn down. Having stood the ravages of time ,unfortunately they are no match for the arsonists torch. Sad end to a beauty such as this.
Thank you, Bruce. Indeed, whatever replaces these buildings surely will not be as interesting nor as enduring.
I been buy there a few times while visiting my family while visiting my family in pawling It’s sad They are historic buildings I’am sure that they could have been renovated and turned into affortable housing or may be a assisted living center for the elderly. Or may be a museum of somesort of dutchess county because there is a lot of history in dutchess county that should be preserved
Agreed. Indeed there was talk of saving the director’s home as a museum for the Dutchess County Historical Society. That no longer seems a possibility in light of recent comments by the owner in regards to tearing down all existing buildings.
New York had opened what has since become Utica Psychiatric Center in 1843, the first state-run institution for the mentally ill. By the Civil War it was reaching its capacity, so in 1866 then Governor Reuben Fenton appointed a five-member state commission to look for a site for a second hospital in the Hudson Valley between New York and Albany, to serve New York City and the counties of Eastern New York.
Thanks for this info.