Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
West Virginia
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, located in Weston, West Virginia, is a historic psychiatric hospital built following the Kirkbride Plan and designed by architect Richard Snowden Andrews. Construction began in 1858 but was delayed by the Civil War, finally completing in 1881. Originally intended to house 250 patients, it became severely overcrowded by the mid-20th century, at times holding over 2,400 patients. The asylum is notable for its massive hand-cut sandstone construction, including a 200-foot central clock tower completed in 1871. It operated continuously from 1864 until its closure in 1994, after which patients were relocated to a modern facility. Since 2008, the site has been open to the public as a museum and tourist attraction, offering historic and paranormal tours that explore its rich and sometimes dark history. The asylum’s grounds once included a farm, dairy, waterworks, and cemetery, reflecting its self-sufficient design. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the United States, bearing witness to evolving mental health care practices and architectural ideals of the 19th century.
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Tip: Visit during spring or fall for comfortable weather inside the building, as summers can be hot and winters cold. Booking tickets in advance is recommended due to popular historic and paranormal tours. Discounts may be available for group tours or special events. Dress appropriately for the season and wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking. Check the official website for the detailed schedule of events and year-round ghost hunts.
Zajímavosti
- •The asylum is one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the United States.
- •It was designed following the Kirkbride Plan, an architectural concept aimed at improving mental health treatment.
- •During the Civil War, construction was halted and the site was occupied by both Union and Confederate forces.
- •At its peak, the hospital housed over 2,600 patients, far exceeding its original capacity of 250.
- •The hospital grounds included a self-sufficient farm, dairy, waterworks, and cemetery.
- •It was the site of the West Virginia Lobotomy Project in the early 1950s.
- •The hospital was renamed multiple times, including West Virginia Hospital for the Insane and Weston State Hospital.
Historie
Construction of the asylum began in 1858 under Virginia's authority but was interrupted by the Civil War.
After West Virginia became a state in 1863, the hospital was renamed and first admitted patients in 1864, though building continued until 1881.
Designed to house 250 patients, overcrowding became severe by the 1950s, reaching over 2,600 inmates.
The facility was involved in the West Virginia Lobotomy Project in the early 1950s, reflecting changing psychiatric treatments.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990 and closed in 1994, with patients moved to a new hospital.
Průvodce po místě
Main Building and Central Clock Tower1871
The iconic 200-foot clock tower completed in 1871 crowns the main building, which is a massive example of hand-cut blue sandstone construction. The building reflects the Kirkbride Plan's emphasis on light and air for patient treatment.
Patient Wards and Solitary Rooms1864-1881
Originally designed for patient solitude, these wards became overcrowded with thousands of patients by the mid-20th century, reflecting changes in mental health care and institutional challenges.
Hospital Grounds: Farm, Dairy, Waterworks, and Cemetery19th century
The asylum was designed to be self-sufficient with its own agricultural and utility facilities, supporting patients and staff through on-site food production and water supply.
Kontakt
Telefon: (304) 269-5070