Save Carlton House?

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Exploring life from the inside.

Exploring life from the inside of Carlton House is something many people want to know about, from its history as part of the criminal justice system when it was built in 1908-1910 to it’s last usage to house people living with a disability. This ward of the Royal Derwent Hospital is one of the most imposing structures at the site. It is quite intact and has survived the last 14 years of Derwent Valley Council ownership and neglect. It’s history is rich and would add to the Willow Court historic site in a very different time scale to Bronte Ward and The Barracks. Originally constructed for the criminally insane and later extensively modified and expanded in 1965-68 this building has two yards, one to the east and one to the west. It is a traditional two door security system with high walls. Some old foundations are visible in the east exercise yard which tell a different story of the site before 1908.

Inside the areas are clean and wouldn’t take much to restore. The old doors have had their hinges removed and stolen for their metal resale. One original hinge is kept so others can be cast and the three inch thick laminated wooden, steel re-enforced doors can be rehung. The ceiling in some areas has been exposed but can be left exposed to show the re-enforced metal fabrication fixed to the top of the ceiling rafters makes this escape proof.

willow court 212Many people have never had the opportunity to visit a site like this and the building tells it’s own visual story. Along with some minor interpretation this site could become part of the Willow Court tour experience. From the time you walk in and see this imposing structure framed by large grey high walls, to the internal structure, this would have to be one of the most interesting buildings on the site. Inside, large dinning area and kitchen area followed by the staff room, Doctor’s room, visitors room, clothing store, bathroom and sleeping areas. Upstairs the bathroom and sleeping areas have been somewhat maintained only because this was one of the hardest buildings on the site to brake into.

Each building sets a different scene and tells a different story about the site, the Barracks started in 1827 and Bronte house was constructed as a medical ward before becoming the high functioning woman’s ward. So each building has a unique quality that sits in it’s own space and time. This would give a visitor access to physical structures from the first building to a much later structure and of course model of use and operation.

So the question remains, does this wonderful building get leased out to a business and structurally changed forever, or does it form part of the history that should be restored and told?

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Restoration behind

 

Today, Senior Projwillow court 202ect Manager of the Willow Court Precinct restoration, Mr Brett Noble confirmed that the project is running two months behind. A look around the site today revealed a lot of work, from guttering, painting , landscaping and soon to be connected electric power. The centre area of the Barracks will soon have lawn seed laid which will frame the oldest asylum in the southern hemisphere. Painters were working on Bronte house today and the finish for the Barracks still needs to be applied. New pathways were undergoing final works around Bronte, which look great. Many items throughout the site have been methodically cataloged and bear the tags. The toilet block at the back of Bronte will be demolished in the coming week and the original veranda will be restored.

Have a look at the new photos of the site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ree Pettifer

Old_Writing_With_A_Feather_sepiaCLICK HERE to find the latest upload. The Ree Pettifer report is now on our articles page. Although some sections are missing this is still an enlightening outsiders review and is a great read of conditions, staffing arrangements and facilities at Willow Court Centre.

 

“It would be easy to lay the blame on the nursing staff for the living conditions and standards of care of residents at Willow Court Centre. To do so however would be to over simplify the forces at play in the working life of the nursing staff at Willow Court.”

 

“The most disconcerting and most strongly held of all opinions was that of covert and overt victimisation of those who dare to question or speak out. Sudden changes to night shift, to an area of high dependency, a pass opposite to one’s spouse or unfavourable staff appraisals were  frequently nominated as acts of covert victimisation.

Abusive telephone calls, threats of violence against staff and their families were also frequently reported and can be personally verified by the writer”.

 

“In one house toothbrushes were stored communally in jugs of water with the bristles submerged and the names on toothbrushes were illegible. In one house six toothbrushes stored in a communal container had obviously never been used and had accumulated dust overtime”.

 

Ree Pettifer September 1989

 

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Complete book: Part B2 NEW Release

img001Complete book: Part B2 (terracotta cover) NEW Release (May 11th 2014) CLICK HERE

 

•• I wish to make it clear from the beginning that so many of the staff of the Royal Derwent Hospital have been kind. understanding, helpful and dedicated, and for the duties and general work they perform, they are deserving of tremendous credit.

Regretful is the fact that by activities and behaviours, misunderstandings, failure to correctly assess a patient’s limitations and such like. always appears to lead to undeserved and unwarranted adverse publicity which pervades the whole of the Royal Derwent Hospital .•• ”

 

Pages 189-332

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