Willow Court Mental Asylum, it is located in the picturesque city of New Norfolk, Tasmania.
APIU has spent countless days and nights in this now abandoned location. We are currently producing a documentary on the paranormal and the history of this historical landmark.
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History
In 1827 Governor Arthur requested that all Invalid convicts across all Tasmania to be transferred from where they were to New Norfolk to be accommodated in wooden huts until more suitable accommodation was built on the site.
The first invalid patient arrived later that year in 1827. In 1829 William Pritchard the first Lunatic patient arrived. The first Female patient arrived in Willow Court in 1830.
In 1830 the old Willow Court site accommodated 45 Invalids, 20 Lunatics and a total of 23 staff all but 3 of them were ex convicts.
In 1831 the construction of the Barracks was completed, part of which still stands today.
The Barracks was described as a hollow square of a building for the insane attached to a three sided court for invalids.
Willow Court remained as a Military Hospital until 1855 when the State Govt took over care for Lunatic patients.
The number of patients gradually increased over the years and in 1890 it accommodated approximately 366 patients.
In early 1900's Willow Court accommodated approximately 500 patients.
Over the next 50 - 60 years numerous wards and buildings were built to accommodate the increasing number of patients that were sent to the Asylum. Some of the buildings were later demolished during the mid 1900's to make way for newer styled buildings on the Willow Court Site.
As Willow Court grew and expanded over many years so did ideas of better practice and facilities to treat people with Disabilities and Mental Health issues. It was during the 1950's when planning and development began on a new hospital based on a pavilion model for asylums, later to be named Royal Derwent Hospital.
Work first took place on the new Royal Derwent Hospital in 1954 with the building of the Steam Plant or Boiler room, workshops and kitchen. The Construction of the actual RDH wards begun in 1957 and concluded in 1966. Most of the RDH Wards accommodated up to 30 patients at any one time. Royal Derwent Hospital generally Accommodated Mental Health Patients whilst the older Willow Court accommodated people with disabilities.
It was believed at the height of Willow Court & Royal Derwent Hospital it housed up to 1500 patients.
During the late 1900's Willow Court & Royal Derwent Hospital was in the process of closing down due to a new practise adopted by the State Government known as De-institutionalization. By Mid 2000 the last of the patients were transferred in group homes or alternative accommodation and doors were closed for the last time.
The first invalid patient arrived later that year in 1827. In 1829 William Pritchard the first Lunatic patient arrived. The first Female patient arrived in Willow Court in 1830.
In 1830 the old Willow Court site accommodated 45 Invalids, 20 Lunatics and a total of 23 staff all but 3 of them were ex convicts.
In 1831 the construction of the Barracks was completed, part of which still stands today.
The Barracks was described as a hollow square of a building for the insane attached to a three sided court for invalids.
Willow Court remained as a Military Hospital until 1855 when the State Govt took over care for Lunatic patients.
The number of patients gradually increased over the years and in 1890 it accommodated approximately 366 patients.
In early 1900's Willow Court accommodated approximately 500 patients.
Over the next 50 - 60 years numerous wards and buildings were built to accommodate the increasing number of patients that were sent to the Asylum. Some of the buildings were later demolished during the mid 1900's to make way for newer styled buildings on the Willow Court Site.
As Willow Court grew and expanded over many years so did ideas of better practice and facilities to treat people with Disabilities and Mental Health issues. It was during the 1950's when planning and development began on a new hospital based on a pavilion model for asylums, later to be named Royal Derwent Hospital.
Work first took place on the new Royal Derwent Hospital in 1954 with the building of the Steam Plant or Boiler room, workshops and kitchen. The Construction of the actual RDH wards begun in 1957 and concluded in 1966. Most of the RDH Wards accommodated up to 30 patients at any one time. Royal Derwent Hospital generally Accommodated Mental Health Patients whilst the older Willow Court accommodated people with disabilities.
It was believed at the height of Willow Court & Royal Derwent Hospital it housed up to 1500 patients.
During the late 1900's Willow Court & Royal Derwent Hospital was in the process of closing down due to a new practise adopted by the State Government known as De-institutionalization. By Mid 2000 the last of the patients were transferred in group homes or alternative accommodation and doors were closed for the last time.
Close History
Investigation
APIU is currently filming a documentary of Will Court.
This report will be released at the same time as the documentary.
please check back later.
This report will be released at the same time as the documentary.
please check back later.
Close Investigation