Public Hospital of 1773

Established in 1773, the Public Hospital of 1773 in Colonial Williamsburg, USA, was the nation’s first facility dedicated to treating the mentally ill. Located south of Francis Street, this historic building reopened as a museum in 1985. The museum features six exhibition cells on the first floor of the east wing, showcasing the evolution of mental health treatments over the years. Additional galleries and artifacts provide insight into 18th and 19th-century medical practices. Visitors can explore the museum with guided tours available on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9am, or independently, with access included in the Colonial Williamsburg ticket. The museum is wheelchair accessible and open daily from morning until evening, making it a convenient stop at the end of a day’s tour. An underground concourse connects it to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, offering a seamless transition to further historical exploration.