The Lunatic Asylum, New Norfolk began in 1827 as the Invalid Barracks for convicts. A good proportion of the invalids were classified as ‘lunatics’ and as the hospital became more crowded, it increasingly specialised in ‘caring’ for people with this diagnosis. Over time it catered for all kinds of people, rather than just convicts. The Lunatic Asylum was the first invalid depot in Tasmania, a government run institution for people who were sick and in poverty. The Lunatic Asylum became the Hospital for the Insane in 1859.
From
1827
To
1859
Alternative Names
Invalid Barracks
New Norfolk Hospital
Subsequent
