Mount View Lunatic Asylum
| Mount View Asylum, c. 1906 | |
| Location | Wellington |
| Address | |
| Region | |
| State | |
| Country | NZ |
| Coordinates | |
| Funding | |
| Website | [ Official website] |
Mount View Lunatic Asylum, also known as Mt. View Lunatic Asylum or Mount View Asylum, was a significant psychiatric hospital located on 113 acres near the Basin Reserve in Wellington, New Zealand. The site where the asylum once stood is now occupied by Government House.
History[edit | edit source]
Establishment[edit | edit source]
The construction of Mount View Lunatic Asylum began in 1872 as part of an effort to replace the overcrowded Karori Lunatic Asylum, the first such institution in the country. It opened its doors in May 1873, originally designed to accommodate 28 male and 28 female patients. However, due to the immediate transfer of 70 patients from Karori, the facility faced significant overcrowding issues from its inception.
Expansion[edit | edit source]
Recognizing the need for more space, the asylum underwent its first expansion in 1879, adding a two-storey wooden structure that could accommodate an additional 50 male patients. The following year, another wing was constructed to further increase capacity. By around 1885, two more wards were added as the patient population continued to grow.
Despite these expansions, by 1905 the asylum housed 250 patients, necessitating further transfers to alleviate the overcrowding. Over the next five years, many of the patients were moved to the Porirua Lunatic Asylum and other facilities. The asylum ultimately closed in 1910.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
The history of Mount View Lunatic Asylum is a reflection of the evolving attitudes and treatments towards mental health in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Zealand. Its closure marked a shift towards more modern facilities and approaches in the care of mentally ill patients.
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
Following the asylum's closure, the land was repurposed and eventually became the site of Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand. This transition from an institution of mental health to a gubernatorial residence is indicative of the significant urban and social changes in Wellington over the years.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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