The Grafton State Hospital, a chillingly abandoned and historically significant mental hospital complex in Grafton, Massachusetts, holds a fascinating yet somber history. Established in 1901 as a farm colony for "chronic insane patients" from the Worcester State Hospital, it gained administrative autonomy in 1912. Presently, a portion of the campus is undergoing redevelopment, while some buildings stand eerily abandoned, offering glimpses into a bygone era.

The site aimed to alleviate Worcester Hospital's capacity constraints and provide therapeutic activities for patients. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquired approximately 700 acres in North Grafton, close to Worcester and the Boston and Albany Railroad, for the new hospital. Construction commenced in 1901, and by 1905, the hospital housed 450 patients. The population surged to 1,017 in 1915 and peaked at 4,537 in 1956. In 1956, there were just a mere 200 staff for the 4,500+ patients

Agriculture played a crucial role in the hospital's self-sufficiency strategy, but an overemphasis on farming led to questions about the institution's impact. In a curious connection, renowned jazz musician Thelonious Monk experienced a week of observation at Grafton State Hospital in 1957 after displaying strange behavior at Logan Airport.

As years passed, the hospital faced challenges common to many state institutions—underfunding, understaffing, overcrowded facilities, and unsanitary conditions. Dr. Sevinsky's accusations of rape against several patients marked a dark chapter, leading to the hospital's closure in 1973, a significant event in the deinstitutionalization process.

Deinstitutionalization, a global trend in the 1970s, involved closing large state-run psychiatric hospitals in favor of smaller, privately run facilities. Grafton State Hospital's closure in 1973 marked the beginning of this transformative process. Today, over 1,000 former residents rest in unmarked graves at the Grafton State Hospital Cemetery, renowned as one of the state's most haunted places.

While much of the campus undergoes redevelopment, the southern portion serves the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and the northern section transforms into a housing complex. Abandoned buildings remain, offering a glimpse into the hospital's haunting past. The cemetery and cemetery tower are accessible to the public.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the Grafton State Hospital campus holds significance in mental health care development, design, and institutional architecture. The site serves as a haunting reminder of the complex history surrounding mental health institutions in Massachusetts. It's reference number is 94000691.