LOCAL HISTORY
Evansville State Hospital The Evansville State Hospital grounds are
our patients reintegrate back out into the
one of the most popular locations for
community. Previous administrations saw a
casual photography in the area. We asked
need for community ties and allowed
Director, Jeff Wedding, to share the history
access from the general public onto select
of the building and tips to keep in mind
areas of our grounds from sunrise to sunset
when photographing on the grounds.
each day. While we are a state operated facility, it is important to note that we are
Evansville State Hospital was founded in
not a state park. As a result, we are left to
1890 and was built well outside of city
follow some guidelines that keep the best
limits. As the option for utopian treatment
interest of our patients and our hospital in
for people with mental illnesses began to
mind. I would like for the Evansville
expand, so did our property. At one point
community to know that we wish to
the hospital encompassed 900 acres of
continue keeping the public active on our
land that was self-sufficient with farms,
grounds but that they do their part to follow
cattle, dairy etc. and had upwards of 1200
posted signs and to keep our grounds
patients who lived out their days here. With
beautiful and safe for our patients. It is for
the dawn of community mental health
this reason that we do not generally allow
centers in the 1960s, many patients now
large events on our grounds. However,
had more options for community
there are some exceptions like mental
placement via group homes. As a result,
health causes that can hold occasional
the need for the large amount of property
events with proper approval and
was no longer necessary and the State of
certificates of liability insurance. As far a
Indiana began to sell off tracts of land. In
simple photography sessions go we only
its present form, our grounds sit on 88
ask that folks not photograph near any
acres and still serve the purpose of helping
building or courtyard on our campus for
ENGAGED! RIVER VALLEY
