Griffin Memorial Hospital post #3 by Sherman Brennan

This is one of the buildings on the grounds of the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman.  The picture was taken in 2006 and I believe that renovations/restorations have been performed on some of the buildings but I do not know if this particular building is among them.  I have always been fascinated with Griffin Memorial in that it seems abandoned though apparently there are still patients on the grounds.

The balcony and its' bars are what really caught my eye.  It appears that the patients were allowed to get some fresh air on the balcony but that they were not able to leave the building or grounds without someone accompanying them.  I remember thinking that no matter what the patient's condition they would see the bars as keeping them from freedom, which could not have helped them with whatever issues had brought them to Griffin in the first place.  It serves as a good reminder, though, that people with mental and/or emotional problems were seen as just a step above criminals.  The look of the building is foreboding, due to the bars, while also being welcoming with the columns and benignly institutional facade.  I think it says a great deal about how we look at mental illness and those who suffer from any form of it.

by Sherman Brennan