Brattleboro Retreat - Brattleboro, Vermont - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"The Brattleboro Retreat is significant as one of the original psychiatric hospitals in the United States and the first in Vermont, founded 1834 by the bequest of Mrs. Anna Marsh. In contrast to the harsh treatment of the mentally ill prevalent at the time, the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, as it was named. by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, was dedicated to a newly emerging concept of moral and humane treatment. The architecture and setting of the present complex, an excellent collection of well preserved buildings, including the design and details of the patients¹ living areas, respond to the needs, and mirrors the precepts, of moral treatment. The Retreat's original construction (1838) predates the famous Kirkbride plan, which was to be the model for most asylums built in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The series of extant nineteenth century connected brick wings of the classically detailed Main Building, built over a period of fifty years, is the preserved setting for the methods advanced by the first superintendent, William H. Rockwell, and his successors. This original structure, along with additional nineteenth and twentieth century buildings, comprises the heart of a 1000-acre comprehensive treatment complex." - National Register Nomination Form

Street address: Linden St. and Upper Dummerston Rd Brattleboro , Vermont County / Borough / Parish: Windham Year listed: 1984 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Periods of significance: 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Health Care Current function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Education, Health Care Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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