October 12th: The Day America's First Madhouse Opens

Virginia opened the USA's first insane asylum on October 12th 1773. Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg was the first recorded location of the 'madhouse', although there may have been unofficial establishments. 

Eastern State Hospital, Virginia

   As with the majority of asylums before recent times, the mentally ill people were poorly treated and suffered shocking abuse from the people in power. It is also interesting to learn that Virginia founded the first 'Coloured Asylum' in 1870. The racial separation even in asylums signifies just how much cruel prejudice was present during this time.

   Although America's first asylum was in 1773, the concept of a building to contain mentally unstable people was founded long ago in 872 in Cairo. This was slightly different however, as accounts written by European travellers have shown there was a notable kindness and care for the mentally ill patients by the doctors. However, as more and more asylums opened around the world, the stigma towards 'madness' and mental illness grew increasingly discriminative.