Tour of Building 50 2004, Men’s Ward & Attics
Tour of Building 50 2004, Men’s Ward & Attics, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Archive for the 'Building 50: Northern Michigan State Hospital' Category
A Discovery in the Walls
A Discovery in the Walls, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/sets/72157606977431970/
July 20, 2004
Heidi and I had lunch at Cuppa joe and then walked through some of the areas under renovation. While passing through a room, Heidi caught a glimpse of something in a hole in the wall. I turned out to be bundles of newspapers and magazines from long ago – probably put there by a patient.
Later, we visited the Dwarves painting and she snapped me looking out a window on the third floor Men’s ward.
All photos in this group by Heidi Johnson.
Heidi’s Autico Villagio in my office
Heidi’s Autico Villagio in my office, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
More Work by Heidi Johnson
More Work by Heidi Johnson, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Michael, Third Floor, Men’s Ward, Photo By Heidi Johnson – June 1, 2004
Michael, Third Floor, Men’s Ward, Photo By Heidi Johnson – June 1, 2004, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Tour of Building 50 2003 (Photo by Heidi Johnson)
Tour of Building 50 2003 (Photo by Heidi Johnson), originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Heidi Johnson in Building 50
Heidi Johnson in Building 50, originally uploaded by Philosopher Queen.
PhilosopherQueen writes: Heidi is a photographer who has done a book documenting the history of the mental hospital in Traverse City that is now being renovated for use as condos and shops. She will have her own condo and studio in this building when it is finished. She took us on a tour there last fall (we had to wear hard hats).
Remembering Heidi Johnson
Remembering Heidi Johnson, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
I am saddened to read of Heidi’s passing this morning. The community has lost a true artist.
I knew her first by her photos of Building 50. We met years ago when she was setting up a showing at Borders in TC. We met again a year later at Building 50. She escorted us on a brief photo tour of the basements and upper floors of the building. Over the next couple of years, I enjoyed meeting up with her and chatting about Building 50, etc.
I am glad to have taken a photo of her on one of the tours, capturing the “Angels in the Architecture” she so loved:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/8925553
And she snapped this of me on that first tour:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/8925102
My condolences go out to her family and friends. I will treasure the digital photos I have, her book and the memories she captured in her work.
Heidi Johnson, Third Floor, Men’s Ward
Heidi Johnson, Third Floor, Men’s Ward, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Heidi Johnson, 1963-2008
http://www.legacy.com/Record-Eagle/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=115160031
Left Foot Charley
Left Foot Charley, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Great tasting today. We bought a bottle of the Red and a bottle of Island View Pinot Blanc (which was EXCELLENT). i am so happy to see such excitement at Building 50.
Broken Glass & Radiator at the Asylum (Building 50)
Broken Glass & Radiator, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
Afternoon at the Village TC (Building 50)
Afternoon at the Village TC (Building 50), originally uploaded by mstephens7.
An Asylum in Traverse City
I’ve mentioned Building 50 a lot in this blog but never really devoted an entry to it. It’s a beautiful Kirkbride Building that’s stood in Traverse City, Michigan for over 100 years.
Building 50 B&W Images by Michael at Flickr
“Traverse City State Hospital opened in 1885 as the Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane. As its name implies, it was founded to provide care for the population of northern Michigan.
One of several Kirkbride buildings constructed in Michigan, Traverse City is the last in existence. Today the hospital’s Kirkbride sits within a large complex of buildings. Various cottages and other structures of different sizes surround it. This Kirkbride appears less ominous than others documented on this site. The off-white walls, large airy windows, and lack of overgrowth contribute to a much more wholesome aspect. Unfortunately, the building’s administration section was deemed a fire hazard and was destroyed in 1963. Its replacement, a strictly utilitarian structure typical of twentieth-century public architecture, spoils the beauty of this Kirkbride.
The good news is that the Traverse City community realizes that this building is still a treasure. Renovations are well under way, and the building will eventually become part of a mixed residential/commercial community within the larger city. “
I first became aware of Building 50 in 2000 when I saw a print from a book that was about to be published called Angels in the Architecture by Heidi Johnson at a shop on Front Street in Traverse City . Steve was with me and we immediately drove out 11th to see the building. I was totally blown away.
Detail of Window at Building 50 (I love the colored glass)
After that, I start researching on the Web and reading what I could find — and taking pictures because Heidi’s work had inspired me. I have incorporated shots of the building into various projects in iMovie on my Mac as well as had a couple printed and framed.
Since 2000, I have visited Building 50 every time I am in Traverse City . Presently the spaces are being renovated by the Minervini Group into a project called The Village. The project is inspired and makes dynamic use of a space that might have been destroyed or abandoned . Well done TC and Minervini Group!!
I got to meet Heidi Johnson in 2002, toured and photographed the building with her in 2003 and hope to visit with her this summer. Here I am in my official hard hat:
Photo by Heidi Johnson
Links of Note:
Heidi Johnson’s Web Site is at http://www.heidijohnson.com/
http://www.cbel.com/hospitals_and_asylums_building_types/M. Nice Links!
Work begins on Building 50! http://www.record-eagle.com/2003/nov/16common.htm
