History of Hospital Care

This gallery showcases the history of hospitals once used to house and treat patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. Before the introduction of medicine, doctors thought insanity was curable, preferably if patients were treated inside buildings that were constructed under strict layouts and design specifications. Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D., the first secretary of the APA, wrote a book titled On the Construction, Organization and General Arrangements of Hospitals for the Insane (also known as the Kirkbride Plan), which influenced the architecture and management of state hospitals for over fifty years.

From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, more than 200 institutions were built throughout the United States with the help of social reformers, like Dorothea Dix, who persuaded several state legislatures to appropriate funds to build mental hospitals. Although, these institutions were founded with good intentions, over time, the infrastructure and staff were unable to properly care for the influx of patients. Moreover, the advancement of psychopharmacology and community-based programs resulted in the neglect of these institutions, however, some facilities remain in use and are still caring for patients today.