McLean Hospital

In 1811, the Asylum for the Insane was established due to a charter granted by the Massachusetts legislature for the "Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation." This was the first hospital in New England for the care of people with mental illness and in 1818, the first patient was admitted. Renowned architect Charles Bulfinch  was instrumental in designing additional wings to the main building as patient living quarters according to a "cottage plan." 

The hospital followed the principles of "moral treatment," which originated in France with Dr. Philippe Pinel and in England with William Tuke. Dr. Luther V. Bell, one of the original founding members of the APA, became the third superintendent of the hospital in 1837 and remained in charge until 1856.