The Central State Hospital Museum opened in May 2024 as the Fast Fading, a History of Central State Hospital exhibit. Since then, the museum has grown exponentially, providing visitors with information, artifacts, pictures, equipment and stories that tell the history of mental health treatment and the story of what was once the largest mental institution in the world. Death at the Asylum, unveiled in October 2024, offers a moving look at patient mortality, burial practices, and the lives remembered. April 2025 saw the addition of the Cuban Professionals mini-exhibit which highlights the 1960s-era arrival of Cuban doctors and their families, who played a pivotal role in staffing and supporting the hospital. The unique location of the museum in The Depot on the former CSH campus combines history with place.
Seeking Asylum began with a focus on capturing the decaying buildings of what was once the world’s largest mental asylum. These photos—displayed alongside the CSH Museum exhibits—serve as a poignant and artistic representation of the state of mental health treatment in this country and as a catalyst for mental health advocacy and education.
Seeking Asylum LLC is owned by award-winning photographer and author, Jessica Whitehead, and features a varied array of photographs available for viewing on her website.
seeking.asylum.book@gmail.com
www.seekingasylumphotography.com
Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot, Inc and Seeking Asylum LLC are proud to offer the Haunting History Tour at the Georgia Lunatic Asylum. Walk the grounds of what was once the largest mental institution in the world. The history filled walking tour will start and finish at the Central State Hospital Museum, located at the old train depot-storehouse on the grounds of the hospital. Historian, and award-winning photographer, Jessica Whitehead, will guide you through the grounds, sharing chilling history of the hospital and mental health treatment from years past. This tour seeks to educate and advocate for those with the most haunting of illnesses, those that effect the mind.
All tours take place In March through October and begin at 6:00 PM at the Central State Hosiptal Museum. Tickets are $25 each and include admission to the museum. Please arrive at the Depot at 5:30 to sign waivers and check in.
Please note this is a walking tour. There may be delays or rescheduling due to inclement
weather. Tickets are non-refundable. The tour does not enter any buildings on the grounds of the hospital.
