In west virginia, a moving, respectful tour of the transallegheny. Asylum, which housed thousands of patients over its year history. The transallegheny lunatic asylum, subsequently the weston state hospital, was a kirkbride psychiatric hospital that was operated from 1864 until 1994 by the government of the u. Even if you are not into ghost hunting the historical aspect of. The haunted history of the trans allegheny lunatic asylum sherri brake on. The transallegheny lunatic asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest handcut blue sandstone building in the western hemisphere. Welcome to the 19th century asylum located in weston. Following consultations with thomas story kirkbride, then superintendent of the. I have included various paranormal evidence and input from past paranormal investigators who dared to spend the night walking the dark hallways of the asylum. Welcome to the transallegheny lunatic asylum aka the weston state hospital located in historic weston, west virginia. This national historic landmark served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill beginning in the mid1800s.
This haunted gothic structure was the end of the line for west virginia s insane for 150 years. Its monumental main structure, the largest handcut stone masonry building in north america, divides 242,000 square feet over four floors, is a staggering 1,296 ft long, and. Just the history alone and walking through the halls was worth the trip. Transallegheny lunatic asylum 71 asylum drive weston, wv.
Following consultations with thomas story kirkbride, thensuperintendent of the. Located in weston, wv this national historic landmark offers historic and ghost tours, and overnight ghost hunts throughout the year. This book is my own meager attempt to outline some of the asylums darker history. Need information on historic tours, please click here. In her book, a short history of weston hospital, joy. Today, it comes as no surprise that is said to be extremely haunted. Transallegheny lunatic asylum and the haunting enigma of. It could house 250 patients, each with their own comfortable room. I hope you enjoy the haunted history of the trans allegheny lunatic asylum. Transallegheny lunatic asylum weston 2020 all you need to. Built in the 1860s to house 250, the asylum in weston west virginia was overcrowded with 2,400. The approach, created by philadelphia psychiatrist thomas story. This book is my own meager attempt to outline some of the asylum s darker history. Some of the reasons that people would be admitted to the weston asylum.
Good read on weston asylum and on some of wvs history in providing early. Once known as the weston state hospital, the transallegheny lunatic asylum in weston, west virginia opened its doors to patients in 1864. When it opened its doors in 1863, the transallegheny lunatic asylum, renamed the west virginia hospital for the insane, was a model of thomas kirkbrides ideals. There are nine acres of wards crowded by a looming 200 foot clock tower. Once it was a house of horrors with severe overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and rampant violence. Although this is a short book it was still a good starting point for those who.
The horrifying history of the transallegheny lunatic asylum. The trans allegheny lunatic asylum is practically a case study in the evolution of. Weston state hospital got its name in 19 which was used while patients occupied it, but was changed back to its originally commissioned, unused name, the trans. Haunted history of the transallegheny lunatic asylum. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. The transallegheny lunatic asylum, subsequently the weston state hospital, was a kirkbride. Transallegheny lunatic asylum, weston, west virginia. The haunted history of the trans allegheny lunatic asylum. The impressive transallegheny lunatic asylum in weston, w. By then, the institution had been renamed the west virginia hospital for the insane.
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