Director

The northern wards of the Annex were allocated for male patients, while the southern wards housed female patients, with a central corridor or waiting hall serving as the dividing line. By 1939, the Annex accommodated over 200 patients. However, in 1949, a significant update and remodeling transformed the annex into the first receiving ward, or intake area, for the Delaware State Hospital.Today, the Annex has evolved with the remainder of the Main Admin Building into office space for DHSS employees.We are now continuing along Schramm Street towards our next stop, the Chapel. Please pause the recording until you reach the Chapel.

The Annex attached to the Main Admin building at the Herman Holloway campus.

The Annex was created as an extension of the State Hospital. Now it hosts the offices of OSEC Admin and DSAAPD.

Constructed in 1897 at a cost of $35,000 (equivalent to approximately $1.2 million today), the Annex emerged as a solution to alleviate overcrowding at the hospital. The Annex played a crucial role in restructuring patient accommodations by moving patients out of the crowded conditions in the main building’s basement.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

The Annex

Welcome to the Herman Holloway Campus walking history tour brought to you by the DHSS Library.

This sprawling campus stretches across more than 100 acres and serves as the administration headquarters for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.  It was dedicated to the memory of Herman Holloway Sr., Delaware's inaugural Black state senator. A Wilmington native, Senator Holloway was an alum of Howard High School, an institution that continues its educational mission to this day. His political journey began in 1963 when he was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives, eventually advancing to the State Senate. Over a remarkable 29-year tenure, he tirelessly served the people of Delaware.

Senator Holloway left an indelible mark as a champion of civil rights legislation. For an impressive 16 years, he presided as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Social Services, and Aging. His commitment to public service and advocacy for social justice resonated throughout his career. In 1994, Senator Holloway passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and impact on the state he served.

Now, please join us as we journey through this historical campus, one that helped pioneer mental health care as we know it in Delaware today.  

This tour begins at the Main Administration Building.

Welcome to what is now the Main Administration Building. This very building was the original Delaware State Hospital, also known as Farnhurst Hospital. The hospital was established by the 82nd General Assembly of Delaware, who served in office from 1883 to 1885. The 82nd assembly passed a law creating the State Hospital for the Insane. This groundbreaking move made Delaware the first state to assume the responsibility for the comprehensive care of the mentally ill.The hospital was founded under the governance of the State Board of Trustees for the Insane, later renamed the State Board of Trustees for the Delaware State Hospital at Farnhurst. In 1889 the board acquired 10 acres of land from the Trustees of the Poor in New Castle County for $75,000, equivalent to a little over $2.5 million today.It first opened its doors on August 1, 1889, and admitted 99 patients from across the state.To the immediate left of the main hospital stood a structure with a similar façade – this building was called Almshouse, later known as The New Castle County Hospital or The New Castle Building at various points in its history. Unfortunately, this building met a fiery end in 1966 and is now the site of a parking lot.Delaware State Hospital was one of the first state mental hospitals to be approved by the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association. With a training school for nurses and an operational farm providing much of the consumed food, the hospital was a self-sustaining community.On the first floor, you'd find the original medical library, pharmacy, operating rooms, hospital administration, and medical records. The current lobby area was once occupied by the hospital’s switchboard operators. In the 1940s, the hospital utilized treatments like sterilization, lobotomies, and electroshock therapies, which were considered standard at the time. However, by 1968, patient housing had transitioned to the Kent Building which is another stop on our walking tour.The Main Administration building is now as busy as ever, with the first, second and third floors fully converted to office space. It is home to the DHSS Secretary’s office, as well as the home of Contracting and Procurement, Fiscal, and Grants departments. Fortunately, many of the original architectural elements of this historic building remain intact, including the outside overall structure.Fun fact: Some employees have experienced unexplained occurrences in this building, leading many to believe the building has a few resident ghosts.We will now move to the back of the Main Administration Building, known as the Annex. To reach the Annex, walk along the left side of the building on Schramm Street. Please pause the recording until you reach the Annex, a pivotal part of this fascinating journey through this historical campus.

Hello and welcome to the Herman Holloway Campus walking history tour brought to you by the DHSS Library. We are glad to have you here and hope you enjoy your time with us today. This tour will guide you around our beautiful campus and educate you on its rich history.This sprawling campus stretches across more than 100 acres and serves as the administration headquarters for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. It was dedicated to the memory of Herman Holloway Sr., Delaware's inaugural African American state senator. A Wilmington native, Senator Holloway was an alum of Howard High School, an institution that continues its educational mission to this day. His political journey began in 1963 when he was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives, eventually advancing to the State Senate. During his time in the Senate, he was the primary sponsor of 176 bills that were signed into law, including bipartisan bill 138 that changed the then-Delaware State College into Delaware State University. Over a remarkable 29-year tenure, he tirelessly served the people of Delaware.Senator Holloway left an indelible mark as a champion of civil rights legislation. For an impressive 16 years, he presided as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Social Services, and Aging. His commitment to public service and advocacy for social justice resonated throughout his career. In 1994, Senator Holloway passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and impact on the state he served.Now, please join us as we journey through this historical campus, one that helped pioneer mental health care as we know it in Delaware today. This tour begins at the Main Administration Building.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Main Admin Building - Delaware State Hospital (Farnhurst)

The Chapel also hosts the yearly DHSS Leadership Academy and serves as the Governor’s anchor site for New Castle County.Here is a fun fact: The last wedding that occurred in this chapel was between two DHSS employees in 2022.Please continue along Schramm Street until you reach McGinnes Place. Make a right on McGinnes Place until you reach Debnam Drive, and then turn left. You can pause the recording until you have reached Debnam Drive to learn more about the Douglas Bees and Planting Hope Apiary on the way to the Greenhouse. For those who are allergic to bees, the apiary is not en route to the Greenhouse and it is an optional visit on this tour.

On September 28, 1939, the Chapel opened its doors as part of a Works Progress Administration, or WPA Project, a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. This sacred space was dedicated commemorating the hospital’s 50th anniversary. Originally offering services to patients and DHSS employees, the Chapel today serves as a venue for high-level meetings, and it can be reserved on the DHSS intranet for onsite trainings.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Chapel

The Planting Hope Apiary was created in 2015 by the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Veteran Beekeeper Program. It was started as a mentoring and therapeutic program for Delaware veterans. Beekeeping has been found to be calming and therapeutic for veterans, especially those with PTSD.Veteran Ron Hazlett served as the first official beekeeper. Under his leadership, the apiary grew and thrived. At present, local Delaware beekeeper Duane Douglas of Douglas Bees Apiary runs the site.Douglas maintains Planting Hope as a teaching apiary in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and Delaware Beekeepers Association. You can purchase honey and beeswax candles at the Greenhouse through Bright Spot Farms or online at douglasbeesapiary.com.The apiary was originally located opposite of the Spiral Cemetery. It was moved to its current position adjacent to Bright Spot Farms to further expand the Indigent Burial Program burial grounds. To learn more about the cemeteries and potters’ fields on campus, make sure to visit the Spiral Cemetery.Now, let’s continue our journey, pausing again until we reach the Greenhouse. You will find the Greenhouse at the first bend in the road along Debnam Drive. There is a sign indicting its location at the bend in the road.

To the left of the Greenhouse up a small hill is the Douglas Bees and Planting Hope Apiary.Please be advised that this apiary is currently active with live bees. If you are allergic, we ask that you please skip this stop on the tour. You can also feel free to listen at a distance that is comfortable to you.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Douglas Bees and Planting Hope Apiary 

The Greenhouse is now managed by Bright Spot Farms, a nonprofit program from West End Neighborhood House, the greenhouse empowers Delaware’s former foster care youth with real-world, paid employment experience. As they engage in hands-on vegetable production, these young individuals learn teamwork, independence, and leadership skills. Bright House Farms also maintains all landscaping duties across the campus, with the exception of grass cutting and tree pruning, to ensure the campus maintains its optimal appearance at all times.The Greenhouse is open year-round to employees and the public. In the summer there is a diverse array of pesticide-free produce, herbs (including mint, oregano, and basil), and flowers (such as perennials, geraniums, dahlias, and more) available for purchase. most popular event is their poinsettia sale, which happens every year for the holiday season (preorders are recommended). Their inventory is also available for sale online at brightspotfarms.org.Let’s hit pause once more until we reach the Mitchell Building. Walk back to Debnam Drive to continue to the Delaware Psychiatric Center and the Mitchell Building will appear almost immediately on your left.

The modern Greenhouse opened its doors in 1973 on three acres of land, replacing the original Activity Therapy building at this location. The old greenhouse, dating back to 1897, once stood where the Sussex Building is today, serving as a hub for the hospital patients’ occupational therapy needs.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

The Greenhouse (Bright Spot Farms)

Originally this building was the Comegys Building, named after Governor Cornelius P. Comegys. It was originally a treatment center for the criminally insane until it burned down and replaced in 1999 by the newly constructed Mitchell building. This new building was named after Jane E. Mitchell who was the first African American nurse to work in a Delaware hospital. The building stands as a tribute to her groundbreaking contributions. During her tenure at the Delaware Psychiatric Center from 1963 to 1980, Mitchell achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first African American Director of Nursing in the state. Recognized for her leadership, Mitchell received awards such as the University of Delaware’s Medal of Merit, the Unsung Heroine Award from the NAACP, and an induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame.As you cross Debnam Drive and continue up the street, the Kent &amp; Sussex Buildings will appear on the right. Feel free to pause the recording until you reach the entrance.The Kent Building opened on November 12, 1968 and originally served as a dormitory for hospital patients. Upon its opening, all patients were transitioned from the Main Administration building and the Annex to the Kent Building. Adjacent to the Kent Building, the Sussex Building emerged as another treatment center, strategically positioned due to its proximity to the patient dormitory. This area once housed the hospital’s original Greenhouse, dismantled in 1968 and relocated to its current location. Both the Kent and Sussex Buildings now function as treatment facilities under the management of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, operating as the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC).Today, the Kent &amp; Sussex Buildings provide acute inpatient and extended care treatment for clients in specialized units with a variety of psychiatric diagnosis including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, substance related disorders, and personality disorders. Upon admission, nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists use a team approach for crisis stabilization. Then they work with each patient to create an individualized recovery program with ultimate goal of community integration.Now, let's pause again until we reach the Spiral Cemetery. The Spiral Cemetery and Planting Hope Community Garden may be reached by continuing on Debnam Drive and stopping just before Rusten Road. It is located almost directly across the street from the Kent &amp; Sussex Buildings. The Mitchell Building was constructed in 1999 to replace the Comegys Building, which acted as a treatment center for the criminally insane.This building is named after Jane E. Mitchell who was the first Black nurse to work in a hospital in Delaware. While working at the Delaware Psychiatric Center from 1963 to 1980, she became the first Black Director of Nursing in the state. She also was vice president of the Delaware Nurses Association and served as president of the Delaware State Board of Nursing. Among many other awards, she is a recipient of the University of Delaware’s Medal of Merit and the Unsung Heroine Award from the NAACP and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. Currently, this building is a treatment facility maintained by the DPC.

The Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) is Delaware's only public state-operated psychiatric hospital for adults, providing acute care to adults experiencing severe behavioral symptoms. Located to the left on Debnam Drive, the Mitchell Building hosts DPC’s 42-bed forensic psychiatry unit for male and female inmates in the Delaware criminal justice system. This modern, state of the art forensic unit houses a fully appointed Mental Health Court.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC)

DPC patients came up with the name “Planting Hope” since the purpose of the garden was to nurture people as well as plants. Shared plots have included strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and cut flowers. Since March 2019, the community gardens have been managed by Planting to Thrive. Founders and New Castle County Master Gardeners Kyneta and Ronald Wright previously worked at DPC and have synthesized their expertise in wellness through gardening and horticulture.One garden plot is reserved, free of charge, for the Delaware Psychiatric Center. DPC patients are welcome to visit the garden if they are accompanied by staff.Continue down Rusten Road until you reach the Spiral Cemetery on your left.

At the corner of Rusten Road and Debnam Drive is the Planting Hope Community Garden. In the spring of 2010, DHSS and the Department of Agriculture worked together to create a practical garden on the grounds of the Herman Holloway Campus for the benefit of clients at the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC).Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Planting Hope Community Garden (Planting to Thrive)

Records containing names, dates of death, and grave numbers for nearly everyone buried in the Spiral Cemetery are accessible. The Delaware State Archives in Dover holds the original documents, but information is also available on www.findagrave.com. Notable among them is Civil War veteran Arnold Morris of the 25th U.S. Colored Infantry for the Union.The site was maintained as a grassy area until the 1960s and a barrier of trees had been built around the area, obscuring the cemetery. Preservation efforts by the public included a rededication ceremony that was held in 2016, with a Delaware State Historical marker now adorning the site. It is interesting to note that the original cemetery was laid out in a spiral, a pattern that was maintained when relocated.The New Castle County Potter’s Field, maintained by the DHSS Indigent Burial Program, is located off Baylor Boulevard and Markell Trail, and was expanded to next to the Spiral Cemetery. This Potter’s Field includes 1,344 graves, dating back to 1978 and individuals without funds for burial elsewhere continue to be interred here.The Farnhurst Potter’s Field, also known as the “Cemetery in the Woods” is located off Baylor Boulevard and includes burials from 1884-1933 with at least 3,214 graves. It was originally located northwest of the current Main Administration building, where the Carpenter’s shop is located now. As the campus expanded, the hospital’s potter’s field relocated to where it currently resides. In total, there are over 5,000 graves located on campus.For a deeper dive into Delaware State Hospital and history of the Spiral Cemetery and Potter’s Field, explore the book Remembering Farnhurst by Katherine Dettwyler or visit her website, farnhurst.com. The book is available for checkout from the DHSS Library.Now, let’s pause the recording and move just a few feet towards the gate next to the cemetery. This gate leads to the Jack A. Markell or JAM trail. This trail can only be accessed by using an employee badge.

Dating back to 1891, the “Spiral Cemetery” serves as the official resting place for individuals who passed away at the Delaware State Hospital/Delaware Psychiatric Center without claims from friends or family for burial elsewhere. Spanning from 1891 to 1983, 778 burials occurred, marked by small, numbered granite markers arranged in a spiral pattern, with #1 at the center.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

DPC's Graveyard / Potter's Field / "Spiral Cemetery"

DHSS employees can use their work badges to open the gate to access the JAM trail. The Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge, established by Governor John Carney, is a wellness award program aimed at inspiring individuals to take the first step towards healthier lifestyles. In response to this challenge, DHSS has implemented many programs and events to encourage DHSS employees to introduce healthier choices into their work routine. Utilizing the JAM trail is one of these initiatives.Take a left turn on the trail and Old New Castle is under four miles away. Pedestrians and bike riders can enjoy the serene forest walks and cross the pedestrian bridge towards historic New Castle at the southern-most part of the trail. The JAM Trail leads to the Heritage Trail through New Castle and towards Battery Park.Take a right turn and visitors can head towards the Wilmington Riverfront, approximately three miles away. On the way to the Riverfront is the DuPont Environmental Education Center. It is located on the trail along the Christina River and on the edge of the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. The education center is open to the public year-round and features a Visitor’s Center with panoramic river and marsh views, a 10-acre ornamental garden, and a quarter-mile handicap-accessible pond loop that extends into the marsh. The refuge includes 212 acres of freshwater tidal marsh and is home to many birds and animals such as American bald eagles, Virginia Rails, Belted Kingfishers, American beavers, river otters, and many different types of turtles. Spanning the Christina River, the Jack A. Markell Bridge lies on the foundations of the Industrial Track Railroad Bridge. The bridge is the largest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the state of Delaware and crosses to the east of I-95.Now, the next entry on our tour is the Springer Building. The easiest way to reach the Springer Building is to walk toward and beside the large parking lot adjacent to the Spiral Cemetery. The parking lot is located at the front of the Springer Building.

Named after former Governor Jack A. Markell, this “JAM” trail connects the Herman Holloway Campus to the City of New Castle and the Wilmington Riverfront. The total length of the trail is 5.5 miles. According to Delaware Greenways, in 2018 this area was converted from an abandoned freight train line into a shared pedestrian and bicycle path. The JAM Trail is a part of the East Coast Greenway and helps connects Maine and Florida as part of a network of pedestrian trails.Now, you can go ahead to scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail

The Springer Building initially operated as part of the Delaware State Hospital, providing care for very ill patients and convalescent patients recuperating from surgery or in need of occupational therapy.In the early 1990s the Springer Building underwent major renovations as it no longer served as patient housing. The building now houses the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH). It includes the director’s office, training offices, crisis intervention, patient pharmacy, the DHSS Library as well as a gymnasium with basketball hoops that is open for employee use.Now, let's pause while we head inside the Springer Building to the DHSS Library. Once inside, you will see directional signs to take you to the library.

Dedicated in March 1960 and named after Willard Springer, Jr., Springer served as the President of the State Board of Trustees for the Hospital from 1944 to 1956. He was also the President of the Industrial Trust Company of Wilmington and served as a chairman on many boards related to public service.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Springer Building

Formerly located in the Main Administration Building until the 1980s, it moved to the Springer Building in October 1990, becoming the Division of Substance Abuse &amp; Mental Health (DSAMH) Medical Library. However, over time it became clear that DHSS as a whole could benefit from access to the library’s resources. So, in 2016, the library underwent restructuring to become the DHSS Library, opening its resources to all DHSS employees as well as the public through a partnership with Delaware Libraries.The DHSS Library offers robust research databases, exceptional programming, curated book collections, and the state's only graphic medicine collection. This collection includes graphic novels, memoirs, and illustrated texts related to healthcare, wellness, and social issues. With a desktop shortcut on every DHSS computer, access to the library's resources is easily available, no matter your physical location.DHSS employees can also sign up for a Delaware library card at the DHSS Library. These library cards may be used to check out DHSS Library books as well as books, DVDs, audiobooks, and more at any public library in the entire state. Materials can also be sent to and from other libraries to the DHSS Library for free. Ask a librarian for more information if you are interested in this service or in obtaining a library card.Let's pause here until we reach the Carvel Building. Exit the Springer Building and make your way up the small hill toward Mitchell Lane. Make a left onto Mitchell Lane until you reach the Carvel Building.

Originating as the medical library for the Delaware State Hospital in 1926, the DHSS Library's research materials date back to these early years. The library was integral to the State hospital providing scholarly journals and books to aid in the learning efforts of the medical professionals staffed at the hospital.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

DHSS Library

Today, the Carvel Building is used for office space and is no longer a part of the Delaware State Hospital, now called the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC). It now accommodates employees from two different divisions in the Department of Health and Social Services: the Office of the Secretary--Administration and the Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare.Let's pause the recording until we reach the next stop on our walking tour, the Biggs Building and Gym. To reach the Biggs Building and Gym, please go back down Mitchell Lane towards Rusten Road. The Biggs Building is located on the left.

The Carvel Building opened in 1865 and is named after Elbert N. Carvel, who served as the Governor of Delaware from 1945-1949, and again from 1961-1965. It was originally designed to house geriatric psychiatric patients. In the 1980s the lower level included two intensive care units -- one for male patients and one for female patients.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Carvel Building

The building is named after Benjamin T. Biggs, who was the Governor of Delaware from 1887-1891 and before that served in the US House of Representatives as a Congressman from 1869-1873.Presently, the Biggs Building houses the Biggs Data Center for Information Resources Management and their staff offices, The Audit Recovery Management Services Division, and the administrative offices and client services for the Division of Services for the Visually Impaired. The Biggs Gym serves as an on-campus Record Retention Center.Now, let's pause until we reach the intersection of Mitchell Lane and Rusten Road to visit the Little Free Library. It is located on the right, in front of the pool.

Built in 1952, the Biggs Building and Gym initially served as housing for African American patients at the Delaware State Hospital. In the 1960s the Biggs building was the first on campus to be desegregated.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Biggs Building and Gym

Established in 2020, the DHSS librarians serve as stewards for two Little Free Libraries on campus. You are currently at the DHSS Little Free Library North, and the DHSS Little Free Library South is located in front of the Main Administration building. If you are interested in learning more about how to start your own Little Free Library, please contact the DHSS Library.Walk down Calle Carmen Nazario directly opposite from the Little Free Library. On the left, there is the entrance to the Biggs Gym. Further down the road to your right is the Picnic Grove. This open area is a serene spot for employees to take their lunch break or for hosting outdoor events. The abundance of tree coverage adds to its appeal, providing an ideal setting for gatherings, particularly during warmer weather.Now, let's pause the recording and continue to the Lewis Building. Follow Calle Carmen Nazario to the stop sign, take a right turn, and continue to follow the sidewalk until you reach the front of the Lewis Building. Follow the sidewalk until you reach the front of the Lewis Building.

Located all around the world, Little Free Libraries are book boxes, many of them are registered with the nonprofit organization of the same name. Each library is operated by a steward who takes responsibility for the maintenance of their book box. These stewards do not need to be librarians, anyone can become a steward! Even you! These libraries, including the DHSS Little Free Library North on the Herman Holloway Campus, allow anyone to take books without the need for returns or library cards. When you can, leave books that are in good condition for others to take home. However, you don’t need to leave a book to take a book.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Little Free Library North

During this period, it became the Institute of Human Behavior, forming a partnership with Jefferson Medical College, now Sidney Kimmel Medical College. The building's purpose was to facilitate student interactions with patients at the Delaware State Hospital.In the early 1990s, the Lewis Building underwent another major renovation, reverting to its original name. Today, it houses administrative and client services for two divisions within DHSS: the Division of Social Services and the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance.Now, let's pause the recording until we reach the Campus Kitchen. Walk south across the parking lot toward Eichler Lane to find this building.

Originally established in 1931 and named after Dr. Dorsey W. Lewis, a member of the State Board of Trustees for the Hospital and the Delaware State Medical Society, the Lewis Building underwent a significant transformation in the 1970s.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Lewis Building

After several iterations over the years including a training center for persons with visual impairment and a culinary school, the Campus Kitchen has evolved into a rented-out prep kitchen for locals aspiring to start a culinary business without the financial burden of industrial kitchen startup costs. At the present time, you can find many local food trucks parked idly outside of the building.Now, please pause the recording until we reach the next destination on our campus tour, the Debnam Building. To reach the Debnam Building, make your way down Eichler Lane toward Schweidel Circle until you reach this historic structure.

We have now arrived at the Campus Kitchen, the next stop on our tour of the Herman Holloway Campus. The Campus Kitchen opened its doors in 1961 as the employee cafeteria.Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Campus Kitchen

Charles’ wife Dr. C. Patricia Turner Debnam, held the distinction of being the first African American woman in Delaware to become a doctor. Serving as a psychiatrist at the Delaware State Hospital for many years, she made significant contributions to healthcare. Today, the Debnam Building functions as the central administrative offices for the Division of State Service Centers, the Office of Community Services, and the State Office of Volunteerism, paying tribute to the legacy of the Debnam family.Now, let’s pause the recording as we make our way to the final stop, the Triplex. Make a right on Schweidel Circle and another right onto Sullivan Street. The Triplex will be on your right.

Constructed around 1931 and formerly known as the Continued Treatment Building through the 1980s, the Charles H. Debnam Building has a rich history. Named after Dr. Charles High Debnam, who is credited with creating the framework for the Division of State Service Centers. Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

Debnam Building

We have now nearly returned to where we began at the Main Administration Building, so this concludes the walking tour of the historic buildings and important locations on the Herman Holloway Campus. On behalf of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the DHSS Library, we thank you for spending time with us today. We hope you found this journey both interesting and enlightening. Feel free to send any questions or comments by email to DHSSLibrary@delaware.gov. You can also visit our website at guides.lib.de.us/dhsslibrary or see us in person at the Springer Building.Have a great day and once again, thank you for joining us for our walking tour!

The Triplex was built around 1931 as housing for doctors at Delaware State Hospital. Three doctors could live in this building at a time. Currently the Triplex functions as a central administrative hub on campus for Facility Operations. It houses superintendents and administrative professionals as well as the office of the capitol budget program administrator. Now, scroll down the page and listen to the backstory and context section to learn more about this location.

DHSS Herman Holloway Campus - Walking History Tour

The Annex

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources