Brandon State School
Brandon State School is a historical psychiatric facility in Brandon, Vermont, spanning approximately 18 acres with buildings dating back to the early 20th century. The campus contains solid brick structures with classical architectural features that once served as dormitories, classrooms, and support facilities.
The school opened in 1915 as Vermont's first state-funded facility for children with developmental and mental health needs, providing residential care and education for decades. It closed in 1993 after federal policies and evolving care practices prompted the gradual transition of residents to community living arrangements.
The place carries the stories of residents who often spent their entire lives here, creating a community within the campus grounds. The former dormitories and workshop buildings show how daily life and social bonds formed within this institution.
The campus contains about 33 buildings spread across wooded grounds with quiet pathways that are easy to explore on foot. Today many of the original structures have been converted into apartments and businesses, creating a mixed environment for visitors to walk through.
Building J was originally a dormitory for the most severely disabled residents and sat vacant for years before part of it was transformed into a fiber-processing factory. This repurposing shows how the site has found new meaning and economic activity for the local community.
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