Western Lunatic Asylum [Staunton, Virginia] Collection
Scope and Content
The Western Lunatic Asylum Collection includes correspondece and a final year report dating from 1841 to 1903. The correspondece relates to the Western Lunatic Asylum in Staunton, Virginia, and most of the letters are written to Dr. Francis T. Stribling, the director of the Western Lunatic Asylum, by family members of patients concerning their care. One of the letters isn't written to Dr. Stribling, but he is mentioned in the letter. A detailed list of items is in the "Contents List" below.
Dates
- Creation: 1841 - 1903
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Western Lunatic Asylum Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Historical Note
Originally called the Western State Lunatic Asylum, the Western Lunatic Asylum was a hospital for the mentally ill in Staunton, Virginia, opening in 1828. In its early years, the institution was a resort-style asylum, directed under Dr. Francis T. Stribling. Dr. Stribling promoted a clean, healthy, and kind atmosphere that would aid in the healing process of his patients. While Dr. Stribling was the director of the hospital, patients were well cared for and treated with respect.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Western Lunatic Asylum Collection includes correspondence and a final year report relating to the Western Lunatic Asylum in Staunton, Virginia, dating from 1841 to 1903.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Acquisition Information
The Western Lunatic Asylum [Staunton, Virginia] Collection was purchased in three separate accession between August and November of 2016.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Western Lunatic Asylum Collection was completed in December 2016.
Subject
- Stribling, Francis T. (Francis Taliaferro), 1810-1874 (Person)
- Western Lunatic Asylum (Va.) (1828-?) (Organization)
- Title
- Western Lunatic Asylum [Staunton, Virginia] Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Katie Herring, Student Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
- Date
- ©2017 Virginia Tech. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu