Editing Western State Hospital
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| alt = Western State Hospital | | alt = Western State Hospital | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
− | | established = | + | | established = |
− | | construction_began = | + | | construction_began = 1828 |
| construction_ended = | | construction_ended = | ||
− | | opened = | + | | opened = |
− | | closed = | + | | closed = |
| demolished = | | demolished = | ||
− | | current_status = | + | | current_status = [[Active Institution|Active]] |
− | | building_style = [[ | + | | building_style = [[Cottage Planned Institutions|Cottage Plan]] |
| architect(s) = | | architect(s) = | ||
| location = Staunton, VA | | location = Staunton, VA | ||
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| peak_patient_population = | | peak_patient_population = | ||
| alternate_names =<br> | | alternate_names =<br> | ||
− | *Western | + | *Western Lunatic Asylum |
}} | }} | ||
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Shortly after the facility opened, it was filled with patients and the Court of Directors implemented an admissions screening process to limit admissions to only those patients "who were either dangerous to society from their violence, or those who were offensive to its moral sense by their indecency and to those cases of derangement where there is reasonable ground to hope that the afflicted may be restored." | Shortly after the facility opened, it was filled with patients and the Court of Directors implemented an admissions screening process to limit admissions to only those patients "who were either dangerous to society from their violence, or those who were offensive to its moral sense by their indecency and to those cases of derangement where there is reasonable ground to hope that the afflicted may be restored." | ||
− | The first director of the hospital, Dr. Francis T. Stribling, was appointed in 1840. He served the hospital until his death in 1874. Dr. Stribling embraced the concept of "Moral Therapy" and was one of the thirteen founders of the American Psychiatric Association. In 1905, a physician who began working at Western State in 1889 as a medical intern was appointed Director of the facility. Dr. Joseph DeJarnette served as Director from 1905 until 1943, 38 years, which represents the longest tenure of any of the sixteen facility directors serving the facility since its opening. | + | The first director of the hospital, Dr. Francis T. Stribling, was appointed in 1840. He served the hospital until his death in 1874. Dr. Stribling embraced the concept of "Moral Therapy" and was one of the thirteen founders of the American Psychiatric Association. In 1905, a physician who began working at Western State in 1889 as a medical intern was appointed Director of the facility. |
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+ | Dr. Joseph DeJarnette served as Director from 1905 until 1943, 38 years, which represents the longest tenure of any of the sixteen facility directors serving the facility since its opening. | ||
The facility’s name was changed in 1894 from Western Lunatic Asylum to Western State Hospital. The facility continued to increase in size through the 1950’s and 1960’s with the opening of a second site in 1949-1950. The facility’s patient population eventually increased to above 3,000 at two sites. | The facility’s name was changed in 1894 from Western Lunatic Asylum to Western State Hospital. The facility continued to increase in size through the 1950’s and 1960’s with the opening of a second site in 1949-1950. The facility’s patient population eventually increased to above 3,000 at two sites. | ||
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Beginning with the Commonwealth’s move toward de-institutionalization in the early 1970’s, the population declined substantially until, by the late 1970’s, it stood at approximately 1,350. Further reductions were realized over the last fifteen years as hospital programs were related to sister facilities and the communities. A more restrictive criteria for admissions and improved prescreening programs have also been implemented. Substantial improvements in psychopharmacology and community treatment modalities along with earlier intervention have also contributed to reduced census. | Beginning with the Commonwealth’s move toward de-institutionalization in the early 1970’s, the population declined substantially until, by the late 1970’s, it stood at approximately 1,350. Further reductions were realized over the last fifteen years as hospital programs were related to sister facilities and the communities. A more restrictive criteria for admissions and improved prescreening programs have also been implemented. Substantial improvements in psychopharmacology and community treatment modalities along with earlier intervention have also contributed to reduced census. | ||
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file:Staunton1891.jpg | file:Staunton1891.jpg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
+ | [[Category:Active Institution]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Cottage Plan]] | ||
[[Category:Virginia]] | [[Category:Virginia]] | ||
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[[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] | [[Category:Past Featured Article Of The Week]] | ||
[[Category:Institution With A Cemetery]] | [[Category:Institution With A Cemetery]] |