KPPC: A Journey Through History
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68 Comments
It is too bad you did not contact me sooner. I could have used some of your stories and experiences in the book. I spoke to many former employees and a few former patients. The book is now in the hands of the publisher. It should be ready for release in a couple of months. I hope you will get a copy. You won't be disappointed and your daughter will have all the history should could ever want to know about the KPPC at her disposal, along with over 3100 photos.
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Dezerep
11:41 PM on February 10, 2017
I worked at KPPC for a short period of time in the late 70's. while a friend of mine worked with me stayed there for 30 mor so more years. The memories I have of that place are still quite vivid. I told my daughter some PG rated versions of stories. While still young, she was enthralled. So much so, that when a free tour was announced just a few years ago, she wanted me to take her there...and I didnright around Halloween. Perfect time! However, there was such a huge turn out that I just gave a tour myself. As the day got darker and the wind and clouds rolled in, we soon left after exploring and entering the buildings. Suffice to say we soon left as it got dark and a day room door slammed from the wind echoing to the road outside. At which point, my daughter asked to leave. Though she was scared, she was thrilled going there and hearing stories. She was so impressed hat she told my brother, who was in film school at the time, and we ended up making a short film called 'Super 48'. While it's been decades since I worked there, it never left me. While I was threatened by just a few patience, I saw them all as human beings and treated them as such as best I could. When they shut the facility, we lightly joked about it and envisioned how it could be presented to patience. Something like: 'Hello Mr. X! I have some good news and bad news: the bad news is that the State ran out of money and will be shutting down the hospital.' ' So what's the good news?' We imagined they would ask. ' Well the good news is: you are cured!'
There is more than one documentary available on DVD. One is called Forgotten Wards. You can buy it on Amazon.com. Another one is called The Kings Park Story or My Kings Park Story and it is by a former patient named Lucy Winer. Both are very informative.
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Carmela Mone' Hilton
4:30 AM on August 9, 2016
Hello, I have been reading your articles on KPPH and I am very interested in locating a Movie on the hospital. I worked in building A and B as well as Building 7 on the 7th floor and the x-ray dept up until 1969. I went to classes there as they were required by the state. I have information as I would love to share with you. When I became pregnant in 1968 I transferred into the recreation dept. Along with my mother who was a recreation ade. I visited the grounds last year along with my husband, daughter and her fiance to show them where I worked. I saw some patients sitting outside that were staring at us. It looked as though they lived there. I purchased adocumentary last year on amazon.com and there was another movie I wanted to get. If you can tell me where I would appreciate it. Thank you. Carmela Mone'Hilton
Arlette Kelly says...
While looking through the pictures of KPPC, I kept getting feelings as if I had been there. When I came across one of the more recent photos of one of the wards where patients were housed it came to me. I think I was there back in the mid 80's to visit someone an old boyfriend knew. I remember walking around the grounds and thinking that this place is huge and extremely scary. When the patient came out to see us I can remember him being on Thorozine. He had no life in his eyes and he kind of just "shuffled" along. It was really sad. If I remember correctly he was a Schizophrenic and that's why he was there. He had come off his medications and had gotten into a lot of trouble, so the judge sent him there. Now I want to make sure that this is the right place. Were they still in operation for the mentally ill in the 80's?
Yes, it was still in operation until the fall of 1996. It is located on the northern part of central Long Island at Kings Park, NY, in Suffolk County. There is a long boulevard that goes right up the middle of the property from Route 25A. Lots of trees around on both sides. Sound familiar at all?
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Arlette Kelly
4:19 PM on November 29, 2014
While looking through the pictures of KPPC, I kept getting feelings as if I had been there. When I came across one of the more recent photos of one of the wards where patients were housed it came to me. I think I was there back in the mid 80's to visit someone an old boyfriend knew. I remember walking around the grounds and thinking that this place is huge and extremely scary. When the patient came out to see us I can remember him being on Thorozine. He had no life in his eyes and he kind of just "shuffled" along. It was really sad. If I remember correctly he was a Schizophrenic and that's why he was there. He had come off his medications and had gotten into a lot of trouble, so the judge sent him there. Now I want to make sure that this is the right place. Were they still in operation for the mentally ill in the 80's?
Erin says...
I have a story. My therapist and I often talk about KPPC since I go there so often, and she has an old man who is a patient that is 80 or 9- from what i recall. One day I brought her a patient file book from Building 93 that I took to show him. She said he told her this. At night the male workers would ask the female patients if they wanted to do a "piggy". This meant going into the woods and having sex with them. If it wasn't the staff doing it, it was the men at the local bar. This man that my therapist sees said there was this man at the bar, very big, and said if he or anyone ever told he'd kill them.
I think that story is so sad. Defenseless and ill women being treated like that. I don't know if you've heard this story before, but I would be able to get more info if you wanted to use it in tour book. Great site and keep up the good work!
You are right. That is a very sad story. It's terrible, especially for those it happened to. However, I am wondering if I used it in my book, if it would cause problems for the person that told it to you. Of course, I would be very vague about it and make sure it didn't get back to you, unless that person read this blog!
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Erin
8:20 PM on August 26, 2014
I have a story. My therapist and I often talk about KPPC since I go there so often, and she has an old man who is a patient that is 80 or 9- from what i recall. One day I brought her a patient file book from Building 93 that I took to show him. She said he told her this. At night the male workers would ask the female patients if they wanted to do a "piggy". This meant going into the woods and having sex with them. If it wasn't the staff doing it, it was the men at the local bar. This man that my therapist sees said there was this man at the bar, very big, and said if he or anyone ever told he'd kill them.
I think that story is so sad. Defenseless and ill women being treated like that. I don't know if you've heard this story before, but I would be able to get more info if you wanted to use it in tour book. Great site and keep up the good work!
I think that story is so sad. Defenseless and ill women being treated like that. I don't know if you've heard this story before, but I would be able to get more info if you wanted to use it in tour book. Great site and keep up the good work!
Thanks, Jose!
magic1122o says...
HI! Jason! Hope all is well with you and yours! Getting married Congrates on that, hope you and your lovely wife have a good time together on your honeymood!! I shall awaite your return. And thanks for my inclusiion in the book. But you did ask if I'd like to share, didn't you? And that's all I was doing, sharing! Smile. Anyway, you go and enjoy your honeymoon, and have fun!! Later jose!!
jose rodriguez says...
My name is jose R. And I'm looking for people that were in building#21, on ward 221. from 1968 to 1975. My E-mail address is: [email protected] or [email protected] drop me a line. Thanks!!
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