Stories from the Fergus Falls State Hospital

Stories from the State Hospital

In celebration of National Preservation Month, the Fergus Falls Heritage Preservation Commission and Otter Tail County Historical Society is sponsoring an exterior tour of the Fergus Falls State Hospital on Friday, May 19, 6 p.m.

Designed as a single until, the State Hospital followed the architectural concepts of Dr. Thomas Kirkbride, a 19th century pioneer in the mental health field. Warren B. Dunnell, a Minneapolis architect, translated Kirkbride’s ideas into a building plan.

From its opening in July 1890 to its closing in 2009, the State Hospital dominated the economic, social and cultural fabric of the region. With no interior access allowed, we are doing the next best thing by touring the exterior. As we walk around the massive complex we will examine stories and events that have largely been ignored. With its future hanging in the balance, it is imperative we keep the hospital’s history alive, both the good and bad.