Creation of
Western State
Overcrowding at Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg, Virginia, led the Virginia Legistlature to sign an act creating a second mental institute for Virginia: Western Lunatic Asylum (original name of Western State), which would be located in Staunton, Virginia. The asylum received its first two patients on July 24, 1828 under the care of Superintendent Dr. Francis T. Stribling.
 Western Lunatic Asylum, 1871Library of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 12 |  Western State Hospital, 1929Library of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 12 |
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 Hospital BedsLibrary of Virginia, Box 245 Folder 5, Annual Record of 1908 |  Hospital StaffLibrary of Virginia, Box 245 Folder 5, Annual Record of 1908 |
 Christmas Party in Byrd BuildingLibrary of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 10 |  Noisy BuildingLibrary of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 10 |
 InfirmaryLibrary of Virginia, Box 245 Folder 5 |  Front of Western StateLibrary of Virginia, Box 245, Folder 6 |
 Current Day of Original Hosp. |  Current Day of Original Hosp. |
 Front Entrance of Hosp. |  Front Lawn of Hosp. |
DeJarnette
Sanitarium
Dr. Joseph DeJarnette founded the DeJarnette Sanitarium in 1932 while he was serving as Superintendent at Western State. The Sanitarium offered a resort-like atmosphere for patients who could privately afford their care. A golf-course along with horses were provided for the patients for entertainment. DeJarnette continued to be in charge here even after he retired at Western State in 1943. He officially left the Sanitarium in 1947. Since the 1990s these buildings have been abandoned but they are currently contracted to be demolished for the creation of a shopping mall.
 DeJarnette SanitariumLibrary of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 12 |  Dr. Joseph DeJarentte |
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 Booklet CoverAugusta Historical Society |  Booklet, page 1Augusta Historical Society |
 Booklet, page 2Augusta Historical Society |  Booklet, page 3Augusta Historical Society |
 Booklet, page 4Augusta Historical Society |  Booklet, page 5Augusta Historical Society |
 Booklet, page 6Augusta Historical Society |  Booklet, page 7Augusta Historical Society |
 Booklet, page 8Augusta Historical Society |  Booklet, page 9Augusta Historical Society |
 Current State of Sanitarium |  Current State Sanitarium |
 Current State of Sanitarium |  Current State of Sanitarium |
 Current State of Sanitarium |  Current State of Sanitarium |
Patients'
Responsibilites
Patients had many responsibilities placed upon them during their time at the institution. When Western Lunatic first opened, they practiced under moral treatment. A significant aspect of this treatment was giving patients jobs around the asylum in order to keep their mind occupied. These pictures below show the cows, chickens, and fields that the men took care of. Their labor and work with the livestock along with the women's work with laundry, cooking, cleaning, and sewing, diretly benefited the asylum. Because of the patient's work, outside help was not necessary.
 IMG_9895Library of Virginia, Box 245 Folder 6 |  IMG_9898Library of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 3, Annual Record of 1919 |
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 IMG_9900Library of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 3 |  IMG_9890Library of Virginia, Box 246 Folder 3 |
 Sign from abandoned Western Statewww.TheForgottenAmerica.com |  Sign from abandoned Western Statewww.TheForgottenAmerica.com |