Aradale Mental Hospital

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Aradale Mental Hospital is a former psychiatric hospital located in Ararat, Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1867 and remained operational until 1995. The hospital was designed under the influence of the Kirkbride Plan, a 19th-century architectural style intended to have a curative effect on patients.

History[edit | edit source]

Aradale Mental Hospital was established in 1867, during a period when Victoria was experiencing a gold rush. The hospital was built to accommodate the growing number of people suffering from mental illnesses in the region. The hospital was designed by architect George W. Vivian and was built on a sprawling 100-acre site.

The hospital was initially known as Ararat Lunatic Asylum. It was one of the largest asylums in Australia and was designed to house over 1,000 patients. The hospital was self-sufficient, with its own farm, orchard, piggery, and vineyard.

In 1959, the hospital was renamed Aradale Mental Hospital. It continued to operate until 1995, when it was closed as part of a statewide deinstitutionalization policy.

Architecture[edit | edit source]

The architecture of Aradale Mental Hospital is based on the Kirkbride Plan, a design philosophy developed by American psychiatrist Thomas Story Kirkbride. The hospital buildings are arranged in a staggered formation, allowing for maximum sunlight and fresh air. The buildings are also designed with high ceilings and large windows to create a sense of space and light.

The hospital complex includes several buildings, including the main hospital building, a chapel, a morgue, and various outbuildings. The main hospital building is a three-story structure with a central administration block flanked by two ward wings.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Today, the Aradale Mental Hospital is considered a significant part of Victoria's heritage. The site is now used for various purposes, including a campus for the East Grampians Health Service and a venue for ghost tours.

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