W. & F. Langenheim (Firm)

Description

View showing the progress of the construction of the Male Department, Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, built from 1856 until 1859 after designs by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan. Construction workers, including African American men, pose before and inside the partially completed building. Two well-dressed white men, possibly including the hospital superintendent Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride, are seated in the foreground. Kirkbride, an authority on asylum construction, promoted and oversaw the construction of the new building to alleviate the overcrowding and to abolish the co-educational conditions at the original asylum opened at 44th and Market in 1841.; Langenheim.; Title printed on mount.; Date inferred from history of the building's construction.; Photographer's imprint stamped on mount.; The Langenheim brothers, William and Frederick, of Philadelphia were pioneer photographers, and stereographic publishers. Between 1849 and 1865, the Langenheims produced over ninety different stereoviews of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane and its staff as well as lantern slides of various subjects to be used for patient therapy.

Record Contributed By

The Library Company of Philadelphia

Record Harvested From

PA Digital