The former Beechworth Asylum, built in 1867, is located at Albert Rd, Beechworth, Victoria
It has had several name changes over the years:
- Beechworth (Asylum 1867-1905)
- Hospital for the Insane (1905-1934)
- Mental Hospital (1934-1967)
- Mayday Hills Mental Hospital (1967-1991)
- Mayday Hills Psychiatric Hospital (1978-1995)
In 1863 the Victorian government selected sites for three new lunatic asylum: Beechworth, Ararat and Kew. The 200 acre Beechworth site is a hilltop with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside believed to be beneficial to patients. The Beechworth asylum formally opened on 24 October 1867 under Superintendent Thomas Dick and received patients from Yarra Bend (Woods 1985).
The asylum buildings still stand today, re-purposed with tourism businesses, local council offices, accommodation, convention center, and restaurant. The Italianate style, two-storeyed main building stands on 11 hectares of botanical gardens and is under National Trust protection for its heritage and historical significance.
- Explore more history of Mayday Hills, a former Psychiatric Hospital, Beechworth, Victoria –
Explore the Beechworth Cemetery Virtual Tour
Explore the Mayday Hills (formerly the Beechworth Asylum) Virtual Tour
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