Anne Arundel County leaders are working towards transforming Crownsville Hospital into a place of education and healing. The hospital’s history, marked by tragedy and injustice, must be acknowledged in order to secure a brighter future for the grounds. Originally opened in 1911 as a Black psychiatric hospital, Crownsville Hospital was not desegregated until 1963. Patients at the hospital faced neglect, poor living conditions, and violence before its closure in 2004.
Bowie State University President Dr. Amnita Breaux and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman have signed a memorandum of understanding for programming at Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park. This partnership aims to bring young voices, Black voices, academic voices, and community input into the process of honoring the history of the Crownsville Center. The 500-acre complex was acquired by the county from the state in 2022, and a master planning process has been underway.
Pittman envisions the transformed Crownsville Memorial Park to be a public park with trails, picnic areas, and spaces to learn about the history of the site. The partnership with Bowie State University will bring educational programming, research opportunities, internships, and health and wellness initiatives to the park. Both Pittman and Breaux hope to involve the community in the planning process and have an initial draft plan ready for public review by the fall. The goal is to create a place where visitors can learn about the history of Crownsville Hospital and contribute to its brighter future.