Here is the drawing I promised you of the Milwaukee County Asylum. I added the names of the buildings and am adding a brief explanation about them. The East Building housed female ambulatory patients. The wards were all open. The Main Building was the central administrative building with 2 female and 2 male admission wards. It also contained a large patient dining room. The Social Service Offices were in this building before it was torn down and we relocated into the West Annex. The West Building was a locked all male building. The West Annex was a three floor all male unlocked building. The attic was the sleeping area with beds lined up one after another… The basement was a lounge and smoking area. During this era the Medical Director lived on the grounds. One of them, Dr Depner, committed suicide hereby shooting himself. The pond was not put in for esthetic purposes but was to be used for fighting fires if such an event occurred. It was used as a swimming pool however mostly by student nurses from the neighboring nurse’s residence. You may keep this picture. I have a copy. The old buildings, many of which are now long gone would have had many stories to tell. Thanks for your help on my mother’s case. I will call you in July and get the papers together which you suggested. In the meantime, take care of the old West Annex, which I understand was originally intended and used for as a barn. But that’s another story.
Sincerely,