Blueprint of Saint Elizabeths Hospital for the Mentally Ill, ca. 1853

Dorthea Dix helped design the Government Hospital for the Insane in 1853 after her lobbying efforts compelled Congress to appropriate funds.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Walter, Thomas Ustick, "Government Hospital for the Insane (Saint Elizabeths Hospital), Washington, D.C. Boiler house. Heating boiler, ventilating fan, bathroom, and water closet. Plans, elevations, and sections," ca. 1853

Description

Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., was built specifically for the mentally ill. Efforts by reformer Dorthea Dix led to the appropriation of funds by Congress to build the hospital in 1853. Dix was part of the committee that designed the hospital. Before Dix's reforming crusade, those with mental health issues were imprisoned.

Source-Dependent Questions

Dorothea Dix lobbied Congress to create a hospital for the mentally ill. The result was Saint Elizabeths Hospital. Dix had a voice in the design of the hospital. Compare the design of Saint Elizabeth’s to what Dix observed in her memorial to the Massachusetts legislature. What do you see that shows her observations informed this design?
What is your assessment of Dix's efforts to help the mentally ill? Did her strategy of visiting places and lobbying legislatures (both state and federal) work?

Citation Information

Walter, Thomas Ustick, "Government Hospital for the Insane (Saint Elizabeths Hospital), Washington, D.C. Boiler house. Heating boiler, ventilating fan, bathroom, and water closet. Plans, elevations, and sections," ca. 1853. Courtesy of Library of Congress