Bedford Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District

Bedford's veterans hospital campus, at 200 Springs Road, opened in 1928 as a neuropsychiatric facility and still provides health care to veterans. The historic district covers about 177 acres and contains 69 resources, of which 49 contributed to its 1927-1950 period of significance. The Main (Infirmary) Building of 1928 is the focal point, with a pedimented gable, brick quoins, pilasters and a modillion cornice. Other buildings are brick with Colonial Revival and Classical Revival details, and the amount of ornament follows each building's public role. Patient wards, a recreation building, a kitchen and dining hall, staff quarters and maintenance buildings are grouped by function around curving drives and a central courtyard. The site was large because patients did farm work as occupational therapy. Later additions from 1959 to 1962 are modern in design and noncontributing. The district was recognized as an excellent example of a Period II neuropsychiatric veterans hospital, with statewide significance.