Heritage & History Tours

April 6th, 2023 – November 12th, 2023

Historic Tours leave every hour on the hour. The last 1st
floor tour(45 min) leaves at 5:00 p.m. and the last 4 floor
tour (90 min) leaves at 4:00 p.m.

Historic Tours operate on a first come first served basis.

Historic tours do not include any paranormal information.

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Historic Tours

1st Floor (45 min)
Learn about the pioneers of humane treatment for the mentally ill while visiting the first two wards for the patients. See the Civil War Section of the hospital. Hear about the gold robbery that helped West Virginia become a state, and how being a border state affected the area.
$10.00 + tax

All 4 Floors plus the 1st floor of the Medical Center.
(90 min)
All of the first floor tour experience plus, step back in time to the 1935 fire that destroyed 4 wards of the Asylum. Visit the doctors' apartments, nurses’ quarters. Journey through Ward F, where the most deviant of patients were kept. Explore the first floor of the Medical Center. Learn the history of medical treatments performed in asylums as well as how this facility helped the local community through two wars and the depression.
$30.00 + tax

Historic Tours Include

The history of the treatment of the insane prior to state run facilities as well as the people instrumental in improving that treatment.
The nationwide influence of the Kirkbride Theory.
The effects the Civil War had on the construction of the oldest parts of the hospital, "The Civil War section."
The architectural history of the facility.
The socioeconomic influence of the facility throughout history, including both World Wars and the Depression Era.
Facts and features unique to the hospital.
Medical procedures used throughout the years and much more! Lobotomies, Insulin shock therapy, Hydrotherapy

Criminally Insane tour
(45 min)
This tour allows travel through the Forensics Building areas designed to hold the criminally insane for over a century. Learn about the admissions process and the riot that stopped it all. Tours leave on the hour.
$10.00 + tax

Stairwell inside Womens Aux

Photo Tour Dates:
07/16 and 09/03
Reservations required.

The photography tours allow you entry to the interiors of the Kirkbride, the Medical Center, Geriatric building, exteriors of all buildings, and the grounds. This is a semi guided tour without historic information. Check in for the photography tour is ½ hour before the start time.

Drones are not allowed on the property.

Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Morning Photo Tour (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
$100 + tax

Afternoon Photo Tour (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
$100 + tax

Both
$150 + tax

Need more information? Please call 304-269-5070.

(90 min custom tour - first come first served)

The VIP Tour is an exclusive tour which includes a combination of daytime tours. On this tour, you will walk through the Kirkbride building with an experienced, knowledgeable guide. This tour does not have a standardized script or tour route. It combines history, paranormal, Civil War, architecture, and treatments. The guide will follow the interests of the group in an interactive way allowing for conversation, questions and a customized tour experience. It is 90 minutes long and offered on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm and on Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
$35.00 + tax

(5 hour - Reservations required)
06/12, 07/17, 08/21, 09/18

This is a guided tour, you must stay with your group.

Have you ever wanted to explore ALL of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum? Here is your opportunity. A new, exclusive tour will be available on Mondays..

The Asylum will be closed to the general public on these dates to allow unrestricted access for this tour. Explore with the Asylum’s most seasoned and experienced tour guides. This tour includes all four floors of the main building and the oldest section of the hospital built during the Civil War.

You will learn the history of the Asylum, paranormal experiences, and the methods of medical treatment utilized by the hospital throughout the years. This tour includes an exploration of the Main Building, the Medical Center, the Criminally Insane Unit and the Women’s Auxiliary building.

This in-depth tour does require a fair amount of physical exertion. Participants must be able to walk long distances and climb several flights of stairs. Guests are urged to wear comfortable shoes, seasonable attire, and bring a water bottle.

For an additional $10.00* you can add a boxed lunch to your tour. These lunches will be delivered during the 12:30 lunch break and must be ordered in advance.

*Proceeds benefit our local senior assistance programs.

$125.00 + tax (+box lunch available)

Note: Please dress appropriately for the current weather conditions.