Monson Developmental Center

History

In 1854 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquired 175 acre of land in northern Monson, on which it erected an almshouse to provide facilities for poor immigrants fleeing the Great Famine of Ireland. In 1855, it was renamed the State Farm School, and later the State Primary School, and it housed children who were wards of the state. It served in this role until 1887. In 1898 the state's Hospital for Epileptics opened on the grounds, using the old facilities and adding several more buildings. Over the first half of the 20th century the facility was expanded, growing to 72 buildings on 662 acre of land.

The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Since then, its population has continued to decline, and the state in 2008 announced plans to close the facility. In 2012 the state relocated the last 31 residents, and began to consider the future of the property. After the facility was closed, the state planned to demolish nearly half the buildings, citing either their deteriorated condition or the presence of asbestos. In 2017, the state opened a request for proposals for redevelopment of about 256 acre, representing most of the previously developed portion of the land.

References

References

1. {{NRISref. 2008a
2. "MACRIS inventory record for Monson Developmental Center". Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
3. (June 9, 2012). "Monson Developmental Center's use nearing the end". The Republican.
4. (January 30, 2013). "Future of Monson Developmental Center could hinge on marketing study about possible uses for former state facility". The Republic.
5. Gotner, Nancy. "State to demolish a number of buildings at Monson Developmental Center after closing". Mass Live.
6. (2017-07-31). "Empire State Development Announces RFP for Belmont Park {{!}} Empire State Development".