Western State Hospital, called Western State Lunatic Asylum in its early years, is a hospital for the mentally ill in Staunton, Virginia, which admitted its first patient on July 24, 1828. Around 1825, significant changes in transportation occurred with improvements to Virginia roads. The most prominent road traveled was an old Iroquois warpath and colonial wa…
Western State Hospital, called Western State Lunatic Asylum in its early years, is a hospital for the mentally ill in Staunton, Virginia, which admitted its first patient on July 24, 1828. Around 1825, significant changes in transportation occurred with improvements to Virginia roads. The most prominent road traveled was an old Iroquois warpath and colonial wagon trail that became the Valley Turnpike in the 1830s. Travel for Americans became "swifter, safer, and more convenient" and the increase in traffic through Staunton helped development and allowed easy transportation of patients throughout the state. In 1828, the ground's location was on the outskirts of Staunton, but still very close to the downtown district and some residential areas. After the 1828 presidential election, a national trend towards humanitarian causes along with location catalyzed the project's construction in Staunton specifically: "Staunton was destined to become renowned for educating two groups that had been left out of the traditional academic process- the handicapped and women." Once the setting for a hospital was decided, the next step was the construction of a suitable structure. The hospital was renamed Western State Hospital in 1894.
Location: Jct. of U.S. 11 and U.S. 250, Staunton, Virginia
Area: 43.9 acres (17.8 ha)
Built: 1828
Architect: William Small · Wiliam D. Phillips, Neilson, J.C; DeJarnette, Dr. Joseph, Commonwealth of Virginia
Architectural style: Greek Revival, Classical Revival, Art Deco, Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Agricultural Vernacular
VLR No.: 132-0009
Designated VLR: May 13, 1969, January 15, 1985, December 6, 2006, June 6, 2007, December 17, 2009
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