Northumberland County Lunatic Asylum
'birds eye view' by Architect: J. Cresswell

The Northumberland County Pauper Lunatic Asylum opened on 16 March 1859. Situated in Cottingwood, the magnificent Victorian building was built in the Italian style of red brick with stone dressings. Designed by Henry Welsh, it was originally built to accommodate about 200 male and female patients. Drawn by the architect John Cresswell, this beautiful plan gives a 3 dimensional view of the asylum and its grounds. The apartments on the west side were for female inmates while males were situated on the east. Surrounding the buildings were pleasure and kitchen gardens as well as a stone chapel and brewery. In 1890 the asylum was renamed the County Mental Hospital then in 1937 the name was changed to St. George’s Hospital. In 2006 St Georges Park, a purpose built mental health hospital was built on the old St. George’s site.

Northumberland Archives hold many records from the asylum including male & female case books. Casebooks are a potentially rich source as they include personal information about the patient as well as details of mental disorder, description of symptoms and treatment. Photographs are often included. All hospital records that include personal details are subject to a 100 year closure period.