THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED IN THE "BRANDON ASSYLUM" DISSCUSSION.
I spent a considerable amount of time on the grounds of BMHC growing up. There was a daycare on the grounds which was in the former Physician's residence mentioned on the MHS site linked (it was called Fuzzy Bears, which moved to Kirkaldy School when it opened). My mom worked at BMHC for many years. My grandpa was one of the grounds keepers for about 35 years.
There were many more buildings than are listed on the MB Historical Site. There were several greenhouses where the grounds keepers raised the thousands of flowers that were planted. At one time there was a dairy, hog, chicken, and horse barns as well as beef cattle. I think there was even an apiary (bees/honey) At one point the facility was completely self sufficient, and even sold excess products into the local market.
There was a miniature golf course until the early/mid 90's. It had become overgrown at one point and wasn't used while I was going to the daycare (late 70's) but was "refurbished" in the late 80's/early 90's. When the majority of the facility closed the mini golf was still playable (for a few years you had to bring your own putter and ball).
There was also a curling rink (natural ice) with 2 or 3 sheets. This is going waaaaaay back into the memory bank, but it may have also had an area inside for skating (about 2 curling sheets in size)
When the center closed, and for a few years after, there was a "Nursing Museum" in one of the buildings. My high school psych class visited it. It had many pictures on display of the center in it's hay day. It acknowledged, what even in the early 90's would be considered "unconventional" practices, which by todays standard would be considered inhumane, that were considered "standard" for the 50's.
It's terribly unfortunate that something couldn't have been done with the Parkland and Valleyview buildings before the site closed and they fell into disrepair. They were beautiful and huge buildings.
Edited by Chad, 2019-08-02 09:49:19