Augusta Mental Health Institute

aka Maine Insane Hospital, Maine State Hospital

Augusta, Maine

Established 1840

The Maine State Hospital first opened on October 14, 1840. The hospital's first superintendent was Cyrus Knapp and Isaac Ray served as superintendent from 1841 to 1844. By December 31, 1840, 30 patients were admitted. Treatment methods in that first year included prayer and Bible reading, farm labor, good food and clean living conditions.

from Street, W. R. (1994). A Chronology of Noteworthy Events in American Psychology. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Addenda

Other postcard images

Above view, black and white

South side

Front view. This last postcard courtesy of the Blocker History of Medicine Collections, Moody Medical Library, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

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