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Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center

1888 establishments in MassachusettsBuildings and structures in Waltham, MassachusettsHistoric districts in Middlesex County, MassachusettsHistoric districts on the National Register of Historic Places in MassachusettsHospital buildings completed in 1888
Hospitals in Middlesex County, MassachusettsHuman subject research in the United StatesNRHP infobox with nocatNational Register of Historic Places in Waltham, MassachusettsPsychiatric hospitals in MassachusettsQueen Anne architecture in MassachusettsSpecial schools in the United StatesTuberculosis sanatoria in the United StatesUse mdy dates from August 2023
Walter E. Fernald State School IMG 1879
Walter E. Fernald State School IMG 1879

The Walter E. Fernald State School, later the Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center, was the Western hemisphere's oldest publicly funded institution serving people with developmental disabilities. Originally a Victorian sanatorium, it became a "poster child" for the American eugenics movement during the 1920s. It later was the scene of medical experiments in the 20th century. Investigations into this research led to new regulations regarding human research in children. The school occupies a 186 acres (75 ha) property off Trapelo Road in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center
Magnolia Street, Waltham

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Latitude Longitude
N 42.391111111111 ° E -71.210555555556 °
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Magnolia Street

Magnolia Street
02452 Waltham
Massachusetts, United States
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Walter E. Fernald State School IMG 1879
Walter E. Fernald State School IMG 1879
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Gaebler Children's Center
Gaebler Children's Center

Gaebler Children's Center was a psychiatric institution operated by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for severely mentally ill children and adolescents, located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The center opened on October 8, 1955, near the grounds of the Metropolitan State Hospital and closed in September 1992. It was named after William C. Gaebler, the second superintendent of the Metropolitan State Hospital. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) closed the center as it was antiquated and could no longer serve the needs of the children it housed. According to the DMH, this closure coincided with the decision to place mentally ill children in community settings instead of in institutional settings. Others felt the center was closed due to budget cuts. According to the Waltham Land Trust and The Boston Globe, the grounds of the Gaebler Center are currently being considered for redevelopment. (The Gaebler Center is now slated for Demolition with bids to be received prior to April 15, 2010)Demolition and site development contractor Testa Corp won the bid to begin destruction of the area, as indicated by a sign recently erected at the entrance. Mayor Jeanette McCarthy said the building was bought by the city of Waltham in 2005 in order to have some control over the development of the seven-acre site. Demolition of the Gaebler Children's Center was completed in January 2011. The work cost the City of Waltham approximately $637,000. There are no current plans for the 55-acre lot.