Name: Administration Building
Architect: Addison Hutton
Build Date: 1895
Type: Admin & Staff Housing
Number of Buildings: 1
Demolished?: No
Current Building #: 11
Alternate Names: N/A
Special Features:
 -Scenes from the movie "Girl, Interrupted" were filmed here.
 -The "Administration" signs that hang in the car port were actually created by set makers for the movie. The hospital staff decided to leave them up once filming was complete.
  -One of the oldest buildings at the hospital, built while the Kirkbride Main Building was still standing.
SEE IT ON A MAP: Map 1 (Building is highlighted in yellow)

Completed in May of 1895, the Administration Building is the work of the Philadelphia architect Addison Hutton, and was the first building to the be built during the reconstruction of the hospital between 1893 and 1912. Constructed of red brick, the building is four stories tall (including the attic), the first and second floors were used by the administration staff, the third floor was the home of the superintendent and his family. Upon entering Hutton's Italianate doorway you are greeted by a spacious lobby that opens up to an intricately detailed staircase. On either side of the staircase are hallways lined with tall wooden doorways that open into offices. The floors of the lobby and hallways are covered in tile work and large wooden pillars stand in the intersection in front of the staircase. On the third floor, many of the rooms feature elaborate fireplaces with extensive detail work, each one being different from the next. Wood work highlights almost every room and the small kitchen features a large marble sink. A small playground was once located behind the building, it was a common play area for children of the superintendent and other staff members. An informal ball field was located to the right of the building, behind the Dix Museum. As of 2010 the building still looks very much as it did the day it was built. The first and second floors are still used for offices. The third floor has been refurnished with period furniture. Several of the rooms have large boardroom tables and are now used only for meetings.
 

 

Vintage Photos & Postcards

 

Contemporary Photos

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