Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Eastern State Hospital

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2012

1. Eastern State Hospital Marker

Inscription. Eastern State Hospital is the oldest psychiatric hospital in the United States. It was established on 12 Oct. 1773, when Virginia was still a British colony, with the mission of treating and discharging the curable mentally ill. In 1841, under the leadership of John Minson Galt, the hospital initiated new reforms characterized as “moral management,” a self-directed form of rehabilitation that changed the social perception and treatment of mental illness in America. Beginning in 1935 and ending on 28 Jan. 1970, the entire institution gradually moved to Dunbar Farm.

Erected 2010 by Division of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W 40-b.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 1970.

Location. 37° 17.323′ N, 76° 44.074′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. Marker is at the intersection of Galt Drive (Virginia Route 322) and Foster Road, on the right when traveling west on Galt Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23188, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies.

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A different marker also named Eastern State Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eastern State Hospital Therapeutic Labyrinth (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington–Rochambeau Route (approx. 0.9 miles away); Arthur Azo Matsu (approx. 1½ miles away); First Balloon Flight in Virginia (approx. 1.6 miles away); The First Baptist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); MLK Triangle (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Galt Dr (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2012

2. Galt Dr (facing west)

Galt Dr (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2012

3. Galt Dr (facing east)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 700 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.