DHSS Herman Holloway Campus - Walking History Tour

1. Triplex Building

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.

2. Debnam Building

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.

3. Campus Kitchen

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.

4. Lewis 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.

5. Little Free Library North

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.

6. Biggs Building and Gym

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.

7. Carvel Building

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.

8. DHSS Library

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.

9. Springer Building

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.

10. Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail

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.

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

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.

12. Planting Hope Community Garden (Planting to Thrive)

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.

13. Delaware Psychiatric Center (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.

14. The Greenhouse (Bright Spot Farms)

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.

15. Douglas Bees and Planting Hope Apiary

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.

16. Chapel

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.

17. The Annex

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.

18. Main Admin Building - Delaware State Hospital (Farnhurst)

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.

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DHSS Herman Holloway Campus - Walking History Tour

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