Food Service (Old)

Built in 1931, the Food Service building served as a central kitchen to supply the quickly growing population at the institution. Here, meals were prepared in bulk for the majority of residents, while those with special dietary needs were tailored by doctors and the resident dietician. Industrial machines assisted in mixing and baking large amounts of food at one time. A large wing attached to the kitchen served as a communal dining room, complete with a serving area and decorative chandeliers. The building was heavily renovated in 1959, with the addition of a loading dock and more kitchen space.

By 1973, the bake shop was supplying bread to several nearby institutions, including Gardner State Hospital, Boston Mass. Mental Health Center, Metropolitan State Hospital, Cushing Hospital, Grafton State Hospital, Westboro State Hospital, Medfield State Hospital, Foxboro State Hospital, Wrentham State School and Danvers State Hospital. The building was mothballed after the opening of the new food service building, Parkman.

Architectural Description

This large, red-brick, Colonial Revival-style structure consists of a dining room/headhouse at the south end, with a long kitchen ell extending to the rear (N). Both rise one story from high basements set off by sandstone watertables to gable roofs. The dining section displays bridged end chimneys, corner quoins, and arched windows in the three-bay side elevations. The main entry is centered on the south facade, where it is contained within a projecting five-bay portico. Large windows contain multipane metal industrial-type sash. This section is extended by a two-story, gable-roofed ell with a flat-roofed ell wrapped around it and projecting on the west side of the headhouse section. Hoyt was the architect.