Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.)

During its session in November 1769 the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. In 1825 Central Lunatic Asylum (now Western State Hospital) was established in Staunton. In 1870 a hospital for blacks was established near Richmond and called Central Lunatic Hospital; it was moved to Petersburg in 1882 and is now racially integrated and known as Central State Hospital. Many of the expenses of constructing and operating the hospital were paid by the state.

From the description of Records, 1864-1890. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122640049