Kirkbride Plan

The Kirkbride Plan is an architectural ideal created by Thomas Story Kirkbride and Dorothea Dix.

History
During the mid-1800s, Dorothea Dix was part of a large reform movement to help construct better institutions for people suffering from mental illness. The first hospital to be built under the Kirkbride Plan was the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum.

Thomas Story Kirkbride developed the ideals based on moral treatment of humans. Most of the floor plans featured long wings staggered so each would receive fresh air and sunlight as well as promote privacy and comfort for the patients at the hospital. Each building would have a curative effect according to Kirkbride.

Kirkbride Hospitals

 * Bryce Hospital (1849) - Owned by the University of Alabama. Currently being restored.
 * Dixmont State Hospital (1862) - Demolished in 2005.
 * Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital (1876) - Operations moved to other buildings on the same campus.
 * Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane (1885) - Now residential and commercial use.
 * Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (1863) - Being restored by private owner.

Trivia

 * Most of the Kirkbride hospitals are haunted.