History of Eastern State Hospital
The Kentucky Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Fayette County, KY was established by a legislative act of December 4, 1822 and is the second oldest mental hospital in the United States. On May 1, 1824 the hospital, known then as the Kentucky Lunatic Asylum, welcomed it's first patient. Over the years, the name changed several times, until 1912 when the General Assembly officially renamed it Eastern State Hospital.
Historical Document
You'll find the hospital discussed in history book along with other institutions.
- History of Lexington (1873) contains a concise look at the institution from when it started.
- Historic Asylums website provides background information including timelines and history.
- Kentucky Historic Institutions website provides an overview along with some additional records.
- Daily Operations contains reports supplied to the state. It provides a glimpse into the daily operations at the facility.
Oddities
Items found in the newspaper or other places.
- Medical supervisors report a visit to the hospital to the KY General Assembly.
- In 1867, the Kentucky General Assembly approves funding for an additional building.
- Review of Kentucky's charities including the Eastern Lunatic Asylum.
- Mr. Glass of Henderson asks for committee to review the hospital to address his concerns about the clothing.
- Mrs. Rosa Fox charges supervisor Mary Thorton steals from the hospital. On 16 Dec 1882, the Courier Journal reported Thorton was exonerated. On 13 Feb 1883, Bourbon News reports Thorton was re-elected to her position.
- Lexington Opera Company performs Patience for the patients.
- Formal complaints to local health board about the sewage system from Joseph Mathews and Dr. William Baily.
- Mother's Club of Lexington has a rebuttal to Governer Happy Chandlier about the state of the hospital and it's history.
- In 1939, Lexington Hereal-Leader covers how the James Strode Magowan Fund (Montgomery County, KY) is bringing happiness to patients. Article includes pictures. (PDF)
- Annual Fundraising Event: Lunatic's Ball Feb 1974 (PDF)
- Commentaries from former site
Picture Gallery
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Grounds - 1834 (Image donated by Yvonne Giles)
- Grounds - 1861 (Image)
- Land Plot - 1886 (PDF)
