Mendota Mental Health Institute (Wis.)

The Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane opened in 1860. It was built on a site near Madison purchased by commissioners of the Wisconsin State Lunatic Asylum (authorized in 1854 but never constructed). In the 1930's the institution began to be known as the Mendota State Hospital and in 1973 it became the Mendota Mental Health Institute. The institution reported to the State Board of Supervision of Wisconsin Charitable, Reformatory, and Penal Institutions (WIHV87-A1267), 1881-1891; the State Board of Control (WIHV85-A2106), 1891-1939; the State Dept. of Public Welfare's (WIHV85-A488) Division of Mental Hygiene (WIHV88-586), 1939-1967; and various divisions within the Dept. of Health and Social Services (WIHV85-A674), 1967-present. In Wisconsin State Archives' database entries this form of the agency name is used for all records dated 1860-present. Records on the State Lunatic Asylum are included with records of the Secretary of State with subject headings under the Asylum name.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145779284