The Nurses Home
One of the most interesting aspects of the Restoration Center is the style and type of buildings that were constructed especially during the building boom of 1938-1940 when Pennsylvania allocated over four million dollars to the center for new construction.[1] The Nurses’ Home built during this time shows the combination of classical elements, like the columns and façade, with the then modern emphasis on efficient use of space and imposing size. Standing three stories high it was built to accommodation up to 107 nurses.[2]
By 1947 the center held over 800 patients with a total capacity of 1,750. Touted as a marvel of size and sophistication of treatment for tuberculosis it also employed over 500 staff.[3] Many of these staff were nurses and they lived and worked on the grounds. Their role in the treatment of the tuberculosis patients was crucial and many were former patients themselves.[4]
Although the methods of treatment for tuberculosis advanced and changed over the years at the core of all of these were the daily routines and close monitoring of the patients that the nurses provided. The consistency and compassion that they showed towards their charges were a key element in the hope for recovery.
Today this building houses the Cornel Abraxas Leadership Development Program, a program designed to help troubled adolescent boys. Although this program and the VisionQuest program, also located on Restoration Center grounds, serve a different client their use of the buildings and grounds are consistent with the mission of providing hope and healing for those in need. The care of children has been a constant since the early days of the institution.
[1] Asylum Projects, http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=Main_Page (accessed September 30, 2010).
[2] Yelinek, 14
[3] Record Herald, 1947.
[4] Yelinek, 12.