Title

Anoka State Hospital Remodel Cottage 2 Basement

Creation Date

November 30 2017

Description

Anoka State Hospital remodel project, Cottage 2, November 30, 2017. Three views of the basement of this cottage almost two months into the project, showing partial restoration of damaged walls in some rooms. This was the first of three cottages to be refurbished, to house single, male veterans.
Note: On this day, photographer Audra Hilse had trouble with the camera settings, so some pictures are blurry or have poor lighting. Others originally taken were discarded because they were too blurry to use.
The remodel project was initiated by several Anoka citizens, particularly Senator James Abeler. The purpose was to turn the unused State Hospital buildings into housing for homeless veterans, a place where they could get back on their feet. Initially run by the Eagles Healing Nest organization, as of 2021 it is run by Haven for Heroes. Photographs were taken by the ACHS Archivist at the time, Audra Hilse, who also volunteered as part of the remodel project for this cottage.