THE FACTS
The Harrisburg State Hospital, originally named the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital, was built in 1845. It was the first public mental institution in America. Anyone in Pennsylvania could stay at the institution. The cost for medical attention and board was $2.50 a week. If the family of the patient could not pay, then their county would. The board that ran the institution were all volunteers. A 130 acre farm was located in the institution. It provided food and work therapy for the patients. In 1851, the cost to attend the institution changed. If you were from a poor district, you or your county had to pay $2.00. If you were from a middle class or upper class family, you would pay $3.00 to $10.00 per week. Originally, the facility was built in one main building. Between 1893 and 1912, the facility was remodeled with the “Cottage Plan.” Instead of one main building, there were many small buildings. Each building would house a few patients and some hospital staff. In 1921, the name was changed to the Harrisburg State Hospital. The facility continued operating for many years, but in the late 1900’s, operation slowed. The facility was having the same problems as many others - patients were being rapidly discharged because of the new medicines that were available. The hospital was officially closed in 2006. The Harrisburg State Hospital now provides office space for many different agencies.