592 Comments for Western State Hospital (Virginia)

I'm not sure; you might want to try to contact the developers of the site: http://www.villagesatstaunton.com/

How does one go about locating a grave? My great-great uncle died here. He fought with Jackson until he lost an eye. He died at Western State in 1889. I would love to have a stone placed for him.

Is this open to public?
Or a photography group?

Anyone know if this place is still abandoned?

Old places like this altho no longer in use by us, may however, still be in use by those who died here. I urge you to watch the movie ROSE RED. Based on fiction from the novel and by the mind of Stephen King.

Lightshot's version of Print screen works just fine. Get your copy here: http://prnt.sc/ I think I'll run the photo thru my editing software and change the colors a bit, maybe give it some additional tilt and see how much more beautiful I can make it. Thanks for posting this.

I agree that this would be an ideal plan to re-purpose the facility, and I have seen this happen in Europe, but in this country the dollar is king. I would imagine the cost to rehab these old buildings up to code and maintain them far exceeds any kind of mental health funding that currently exists... it seems to be hard enough to keep the current facilities open, let alone restore these structures and educate the public (who I believe would prefer keeping their knowledge at the ignorant horror movie level, but I digress).

Sadly, I think the best we can hope for is some kind of re-purposing of these buildings in any kind of way (usually they just get bulldozed and dumped in a landfill), and maybe there would be some kind of plaque installed to tell its tale.

I am reading The Madman's Tale by John Katzenbach; terrors of which has led me to investigate W S Hospital and it's history. I am horrified that developers have purchased this building for refurbishment into luxury flats when it's history is steeped in despair, agony and mistreatment of thousands of poor souls who were incarcerated. Who, with a conscience, would wish to live in a property which has been the site of such suffering and cruelty? Refurbishment will not erase it's horrific history; this remains as witness within it's very foundations. It should have been divided into a museum of remembrance and a charity events fundraising venue for mental health awareness, research and development for advanced treatments therein.

Get me a red shirt!

You had a view of the Dejarnette Sanatarium ( http://opacity.us/site...nette_sanitarium.htm ), which was last used to treat adolescents with behavioral disorders, and is awaiting demolition. The state hospital is located just up the street, just before you enter downtown.

Wondering where this place is. My husband and I stayed at the Quality Inn which had a view of a building that looked abandoned. The motel personnel said it had been a mental institution but it certainly didn't look like it had been restored or made into condominiums. Anyone know? Very curious.

I seen a dual stairways like this in the Pythian Castle in Springfield Mo, Which was a poor farm and orphanage. One side for girls and women other side for men and boys.

I have explored WSH several times. The first time I ever stumbled across this staircase, I my jaw did drop. What a treasure! I was so thrilled to have found it. WSH actually has a lot of fascinating, winding, mysterious, and often beautiful staircases. But this one unquestionably is the most beautiful.

Thank you Patty - you have some great photos yourself, they have great color! I figured most of WSH had been renovated by now but it appears that is not so - I am hoping they'll still be able to save those buildings (and DeJarnette too)

Hi Tom,

I LOVE, LOVE your pictures of Western State Hospital. I have been in several of the buildings over 4-5 visits and it blows my mind the awesome things you come across as you explore this fascinating place. I have never been in the Chapel building and am hoping to do so soon. I love the wide angle shots...next time I am using a wide angle lens because I was so enamored with a lot of your wide angle shots. My pics of Western State are on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/pattys444 but you have to scroll to about page 3-4 to see them. I cannot wait to go back in especially to the Chapel but I just wanted to tell you how great your photos are...and I plan on looking at all of the locations you have photographed because they are so well done and interesting. Thank you for this amazing website. Your travels to all these different places are a true inspiration.