Sunday, April 10, 2011

Camarillo State Hospital

It's quite a juxtaposition - a university taking over the hospital campus of a mental institution.

Today, I tagged along with a friend who is doing a project on Camarillo State Mental Hospital, now the site of California State University, Channel Islands. Talk about an education!

Very wide in scope, her project includes documenting the hospital, its history and its structures, and providing a forum/venue for the survivors to be recognized, remembered and connected. No one was doing this necessary work, so she took it upon herself.

Built in 1937, the hospital is architecturally beautiful and located in a bucolic setting.

Note the beautiful tile work around the drinking fountain. There are many such fountains.