Walk-in tours are offered Tuesday - Sunday. All four floors are available. Appointments welcome. In October all tours are first come first served.
1st Floor (45 min)
Learn about the pioneers of humane treatment for the mentally ill while visiting the first two wards for the patients and see the Civil War Section of the hospital. Hear about the gold robbery that helped West Virginia become a state and how being a border state affected the area.
$10.00
All 4 Floors plus the first floor of the Medical Center (90 min)
All of the first floor tour experience plus, step back in time to the 1935 fire that destroyed 4 wards of the Asylum. Visit the doctors' apartments, nurses’ quarters, Ward F where the most deviant of patients were kept, and explore the first floor of the Medical Center (added this year). Learn the history of medical treatments performed in asylums as well as how this facility helped the local community through two wars and the depression.
$30.00
The Civil War Tour (120 minutes)
The Civil War Tour takes you not only on a journey back in time but on a journey through downtown Weston. This walking tour begins with peak into the first floor of the historic asylum, and will give visitors the opportunity to see the wards where the first patients were housed. The tour then crosses the bridge over the West Fork to visit Civil War sites still extant, such as the former Exchange Bank of Virginia, scene of the infamous “Gold Robbery. Visitors will learn why control of Weston, which changed hands several times, was so vital to both sides throughout the conflict. Daring Rebel raids will be described as well as violence that arose right here amongst the divided populace of Lewis County during this extraordinary time. This tour is an excellent companion to our Four Floor Historic Tour. Tour Availability subject to weather conditions.
$30.00
Historic Tours Include
- The history of the treatment of the insane prior to state run facilities as well as the people instrumental in improving that treatment.
- The nationwide influence of the Kirkbride Theory.
- The effects the Civil War had on the construction of the oldest parts of the hospital, "The Civil War section." (First time ever seen on tour)
- The architectural history of the facility.
- The socio-economic influence of the facility throughout history, including both World Wars and the Depression Era.
- Facts and features unique to the hospital.
- Medical procedures used throughout the years and much more!
Photography Tour
(02/12/12 and 04/21/12)
The photography tours allow you entry to the interiors of the Kirkbride, the Medical Center, Geriatric building, exteriors of all buildings, the cemeteries, and the grounds. These will be a semi guided tours without historic information. Check in for the photography tour is ½ hour before the start time. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Transportation will be provided to the cemeteries.
Morning Photo Tour - $100 (8:00 am to 12:00 pm)
Evening Photo Tour - $100 (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
Both - $150
Need more information? Please call 304-269-5070.
