The origin of the Central State Hospital dates to the Civil War Era when Congress established the Freedman’s Bureau which aimed to create hospitals, schools and other facilities to cater to the African American population.
In the later 1860s, the hospital, originally a Confederate facility known as Howard’s Grove Hospital, became a mental health hospital for African Americans. Later, the Commonwealth of Virginia assumed ownership of the facility which was then called the Central Lunatic Asylum.
06-11-1947 (cutline): The Art Commission has not bothered "The Soldier," a patient at Central State who constructed his own fire-proof sentry box outside the ice plant.
01-26-1969 (cutline): Women at Central State Hospital alter double bed sheets to twin bed size. Work is part of community home adjustment program in three mental hospitals.
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Central State Hospital
12-17-1986: Central State Hospital
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Central State Hospital
05-15-1963 (cutline): In Central State dormitory beds strech row on row--a foot apart.
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Central State Hospital
02-20-1967 (cutline): R.W. McLemore, vocational program director, stands by door. Staff also works with other patients who do not live in home.
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Central State Hospital
08-14-1961 (cutline): Mrs. R.L. Pride takes calls for offices empty at lunchtime. Supervisor of Central State switchboard also gets comic calls. "I'd like to speak to the blonde at the front desk, please" "What's happened to the squirrels' tails?" These are just two examples of hte almost 6,000 calls that the central switchboard for the State receives daily.
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Central State Hospital
08-11-1969 (cutline): Airmen John McGinnis (center) and Ronald McGurn clown for deaf youngster. Their volunteer service at Central State is a 'Big Brother Sort of Thing'
Virginia State Police is investigating the in-custody death of a patient/inmate at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County who died after being brought to the facility by Henrico County sheriff's deputies.
