Northern Michigan Asylum, which opened in 1885, was known during most of its years as Traverse City State Hospital. It was run during its first decades by Dr. James Decker Munson, who left his legacy in the landscaped grounds and the medical center that today bears his name. Traverse City State Hospital served the mental health needs of a large part of Michigan for 104 years until its closure in 1989, housing a population as large as 3,000 in its many buildings.This book traces the history of this great institution, from the local and mental health context in which it was founded, through its growth, development, and decline, and finally to its renovation and preservation as a vital part of the Traverse City community. More than 200 photographs and images are provided, including many of the features and buildings long gone.
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About the Author
Author Chris Miller was active as a member of the Committee to Preserve Building 50, one of the community groups that arose to save the historic and natural features of the former Traverse City State Hospital grounds when they were threatened at the end of the 1990s. He is the author of Winona in Vintage Postcards, also available from Arcadia Publishing.
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Born in Brooklyn, grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. High school there, then Dartmouth College. Got an MBA at the Amos Tuck School but didn't use it much. Wrote copy and produced commercials at Dancer-Fitzgerald- Sample advertising during the second half of the sixties--used to do the Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs spots, among many others. In 1970, dropped out of the straight world and began writing short stories. Served my apprenticeship in a number of cheap magazines, then graduated to National Lampoon. A couple of my Lampoon stories were the genesis of the movie, Animal House, the script of which I co-wrote. During the seventies I toured a couple of hundred colleges, reading my stories and generally behaving disreputably. Moved to Los Angeles in 1981. Lived in Laurel Canyon, pursued movie projects. Married Mary Hale in '85, fathered son, Jack, the following year. Lived in the boring San Fernando Valley while doing the parent thing. Jack's currently a junior at Oberlin, and doing well. I now live in Venice, CA, two blocks from the beach, with my cats, Miles and Squeak. The movie business is mostly behind me and books are what's happening. Currently working on a second memoir that picks up ten years after the first one ends. Set in 1970, it chronicles the days of long hair, drugs and rock 'n' roll in New York City. Stay tuned.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chris Miller's Traverse City State Hospital,
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This review is from: Traverse City State Hospital (MI) (Images of America) (Paperback)
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Traverse City at the turn of the 19th Century, wonderful Victorian Gothic structures and/or old asylums. Chris has turned what is obviously a true labor of love into a highly readable book rich in interesting history and illustrated by a great many rare photographs of the old Insane Asylum and its campus grounds. The book is unusually well planned and presented in such a way that the reader feels he is on a personal tour of this immmense and historical facility. You won't be able to put this one down! On a scale of 1-5, this informative and enjoyable book is a 10! Thanks to the author for researching and publishing this truly fine history of a fascinating institution from its construction in the late 1800s to its present rejuvination and continued utilization as a commercial complex with residential cottages. Well done, Chris!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Book And A Job Well Done!!,
By C.S. Wright (Southfield, MI) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Traverse City State Hospital (MI) (Images of America) (Paperback)
This book on the Traverse City State Hospital is impeccably researched and very well written. Chris Miller has done an outstanding job of capturing not only the past of what is one of Traverse City's architectural gems, but also its spirit.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating history of a fascinating institution,
By JCF "PA-C" (Traverse CIty, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Traverse City State Hospital (MI) (Images of America) (Paperback)
Great, easy read with copious photos. Makes the Hospital's history come alive. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and return to it when touring the grounds to refresh the stories of the buildings. It's as if the buildings talk. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
During the last half of the 19th century, many states began building large institutions to care for their citizens who had mental illnesses. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Traverse City, Munson Hospital, Courtesy of Julius Petertyl, Grand Traverse Commons, Northern Michigan Asylum, Grand Traverse Pavilions, James Decker Munson, All Faiths Chapel, Courtesy of Paul Hansen, Courtesy of Wigen, Minervini Group, Perry Hannah, Courtesy of George Beckett, Father Fred, Lover's Lane, Asylum Avenue, The Observer, Munson Medical Center New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
During the last half of the 19th century, many states began building large institutions to care for their citizens who had mental illnesses. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Traverse City, Munson Hospital, Courtesy of Julius Petertyl, Grand Traverse Commons, Northern Michigan Asylum, Grand Traverse Pavilions, James Decker Munson, All Faiths Chapel, Courtesy of Paul Hansen, Courtesy of Wigen, Minervini Group, Perry Hannah, Courtesy of George Beckett, Father Fred, Lover's Lane, Asylum Avenue, The Observer, Munson Medical Center New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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- Letters from Bruce County: Written by Pioneer Joseph Bacon 1795-1882 by Dean Wheaton on page 207
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