The Founding and Early Years
Influenced by the advocacy of Dorothea Dix, who petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly in 1848 for humane mental health care, the state moved to establish facilities for its citizens. In 1877, a committee was formed to create a facility specifically for African American residents. The state purchased 171 acres west of Goldsboro, a location chosen for its centrality to the state's Black population. On August 1, 1880, the “Asylum for the Colored Insane” admitted its first patient.
The initial capacity was just 76 beds, but by the end of 1880, it was already overcrowded with over 100 patients. The institution underwent several name changes, including the Eastern North Carolina Insane Asylum and the State Hospital at Goldsboro. Early treatment was primarily custodial, with able-bodied patients performing labor on the hospital's extensive farm as a form of therapy. Medical treatments of the era were rudimentary, relying on sedatives, laxatives, and hydrotherapy, which was soon abandoned. Seclusion in steel cages was also used until it was phased out completely by 1956.
A Segregated System
For the first 85 years of its existence, the hospital was the only state-run mental institution for African Americans across all 100 counties of North Carolina. This segregated system persisted until the mid-20th century. A 1937 commission sharply criticized the quality of care in the state's mental hospitals, leading to the replacement of many older buildings in the following years. The hospital expanded over time, adding a building for the criminally insane in 1924 and separate facilities for tuberculosis patients.
The patient population grew significantly, reaching approximately 3,000 between 1950 and 1965. The introduction of tranquilizing medications in the 1950s revolutionized patient treatment, increasing discharge rates. However, admission rates also climbed, keeping the resident population stable.
Desegregation and the Civil Rights Era
The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a major turning point. To comply with federal law, North Carolina's mental health system was desegregated in 1965. The state was divided into regions, and Cherry Hospital was designated to serve patients of all races from 33 counties in the Eastern Region. This process involved transferring Black patients from Cherry to facilities in their home regions while admitting white patients from other hospitals.
In 1959, the hospital was officially renamed Cherry Hospital in honor of Governor R. Gregg Cherry (1945-1949), who had championed the expansion of mental health services. The hospital's farm, which had been a central part of its operation and therapeutic model, was transferred to the NC Department of Agriculture in 1974.
Controversies and Challenges
Throughout its history, Cherry Hospital has faced scrutiny and controversy. In the late 2000s, the hospital came under fire for patient neglect, abuse, and questionable deaths, which led to the loss of federal Medicare and Medicaid funding. A 2008 incident involved a patient dying after being left unattended for nearly 24 hours, with surveillance video showing staff playing cards nearby. These events triggered state and federal investigations, staff firings, and a push for systemic change.
Workplace safety has also been a concern. In 2012, the hospital was fined for serious violations after several employees were injured in attacks by patients, highlighting issues of understaffing and inadequate resources for managing combative individuals.
Comparison of Old vs. New Facility
| Feature | Old Cherry Hospital Campus | New Cherry Hospital (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Multiple separate buildings on a wide campus | Single, three-story, 410,000 sq. ft. building |
| Patient Rooms | Older, less private wards | Primarily private rooms with individual bathrooms |
| Capacity | Approx. 170-200 beds before move | Over 300 beds (313-316 total) |
| Amenities | Basic facilities, farm (until 1974) | Modern lab, dental, radiology, gym, library, wellness center |
| Safety | Outdated infrastructure | Anti-ligature fixtures, modern security systems |
The Modern Era: A New Beginning
In response to the aging infrastructure and ongoing challenges, construction began in 2010 on a new, state-of-the-art facility. After several delays, the new $138 million Cherry Hospital officially opened in September 2016. This modern, 316-bed hospital consolidated all services under one roof, providing a safer and more therapeutic environment.
The new facility includes features designed to enhance patient care and dignity, such as private rooms, a medical-psychiatric unit, and a 'treatment mall' for various therapies. This move marked a significant investment in the future of mental health care in eastern North Carolina. For more details on the state's mental health facilities, you can visit the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Conclusion
The history of Cherry Hospital is a microcosm of the evolution of mental health care in the United States. From its origins as a segregated and custodial institution to its transformation into a modern psychiatric facility, its story encompasses major shifts in medical treatment, civil rights, and patient advocacy. While confronting a difficult past marked by segregation and periods of neglect, the hospital's recent developments reflect a commitment to providing a higher standard of care for North Carolina's citizens.
