Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum facts for kids
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Weston State Hospital
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The Hospital's main building in 2006
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Asylum Drive, Weston, West Virginia |
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| Area | 26.5 acres (10.7 ha) |
| Built | Constructed 1858-1881. Opened to patients 1864. |
| Architect | Richard Snowden Andrews |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival Tudor Revival Kirkbride Plan |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002805 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1978 |
| Designated NHL | June 21, 1990 |
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, also known as the Weston State Hospital, was a large hospital for people with mental health conditions. It was located in Weston, West Virginia. The hospital was open from 1864 until 1994.
The hospital was built following a special design called the Kirkbride Plan. This plan aimed to help patients by providing lots of fresh air, sunlight, and space. In 1913, the hospital's name changed to Weston State Hospital. After it closed, it went back to its original name, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, when it reopened for visitors.
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Building a Historic Hospital
The hospital was designed by an architect named Richard Snowden Andrews. He used Gothic Revival and Tudor Revival styles. Building the hospital took a long time, from 1858 to 1881.
A Big Stone Building
The main building of the hospital is very special. It is said to be one of the largest buildings in the United States made from hand-cut stone. It is also believed to be the second largest hand-cut sandstone building in the world. The only one bigger is in the Moscow Kremlin in Russia.
From Many Patients to Tours
When it was first designed, the hospital was meant to hold about 250 people. But by the 1950s, it became very crowded. There were as many as 2,400 patients living there.
The hospital closed in 1994. This happened because new ways of treating patients meant that large hospitals like this were no longer needed.
In 2007, a person named Joe Jordan bought the hospital. Today, it is open for tours and other events. The money raised from these visits helps to fix up and restore the old building.
A National Landmark
Because of its unique design and history, the main building of the Weston State Hospital was named a National Historic Landmark in 1990. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Asilo de lunáticos Trans-Allegheny para niños
