---

Description

---

VISION
People with mental illness or developmental disabilities who come to Florida State Hospital will receive personcentered treatment and rehabilitation While receiving services many people will have their hope restored and will start or continue their journey toward personal recovery

Florida State Hospital will assist people in choosing and preparing for roles and environments that have personal as well as social value There will be an emphasis on developing necessary skills and supports to meet the real life challenges of meeting judicial demands and living with mental illness andor developmental disabilities

Florida State Hospital will take an active role in facilitating opportunities and resources required for success in the community People will leave with symptom stability goals and recovery plans which they have helped to develop and the skills necessary to be successful and satisfied

MISSION STATEMENT
Florida State Hospital will partner with stakeholders to provide innovative cost effective treatment and recovery focused services empowering individuals with mental illness to acquire andor recover the skills and supports needed to live work and actively participate in their communities

---

History

---

HISTORY
Florida State Hospital has a rich history the site having been first used as a Federal Arsenal built by the United States Army as an arms depot during the Second Seminole Indian War Reportedly contracted by the United States Government William H Face of Pennsylvania was hired to finish carpentry on the headquarters arsenal Construction was begun in 1832 with an appropriation of 20000 and completed in 1839 following the war at a total cost of 22693250 The original compound consisted of nine buildings in a 400 X 400 quadrangle and four outbuildings

The arsenal was taken over by Confederate troops in 1861 and used as a staging area during the Civil War It was used by the Freedmans Bureau from 1865 to 1868 and then served as the states first penitentiary until 1876 when Florida State Hospital was created by the Florida Legislature Initially there were seven patients a single stove for heat a superintendent a matron and only two or three attendants A cistern was the source of water supply and candles was used for illumination Two of the original buildings have survivedthe Officers Quarters which now serves as the main administration building for the hospital and a Powder Magazine which is located approximately 1350 feet southeast of the quadrangle and is currently being restored for eventual use as a museum and conference center

The Officers Quarters known today as the William DeWitt Rogers Administration Building is probably one of the oldest structures of its kind in Florida The brick and wood structure is two stories with a full basement The main building was originally 62 feet square with four chimneys and was surrounded by a veranda A brick perimeter wall 12 feet high and 30 inches thick formed the rear wall of the quarters with a portion of the wall still visible Although the slate roof has been replaced with metal roofing and some of the veranda has been closed in much of the original gingerbread woodwork of the outside still remains The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Florida State Hospital remained the only state hospital until 1947 In 1959 Florida State Hospital had its highest census with 6689 residents In the following years the philosophy of deinstitutionalization led to a decrease in population during the 1970s and eventually Hospital capacity reached a low of 930 in 1998 Current capacity is 1042

In 1999 the Hospital received the prestigious Governors Sterling Award for Organizational Excellence based upon the national Baldridge criteria In 2009 Florida State Hospital received a 3 year accreditation certification from the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities CARF Three years is the maximum achievable length of time for accreditation