Nottingham General Lunatic Asylum
or
Sneinton Asylum
On Wednesday 29 July 1779, Governors of the General Hospital received permission from the Corporation to build a Lunatic Asylum. John Storer (1747-1837), who became the senior physician at the General Hospital in 1785, was the prime mover in establishing an asylum. He was active in the life of the Asylum for many years.
Following the County Asylums Act 1808 (Mr. Wynn's Act) which permitted, but did not compel, Justices of the Peace to provide establishments for the care of pauper lunatics, so that they could be removed from workhouses and prisons. It was agreed on 6 October 1808 at the Nottingham Quarter Sessions that at their next meeting the magistrates would consider the erection of an asylum.
On 5 February 1812, the Asylum opened for the reception of 'lunatics and other insane persons'. It was the first county asylum to open after the 1808 Act and it was reported on the 15 February that nine 'unhappy beings' (paupers) had been admitted. There were a further 52 on the books for admission. Research suggests it to be the first asylum to be opened for the admission of paupers.
The articles of union, entered into and agreed upon, between the justices of the peace for the county of Nottingham; the justices of the peace, for the county of the town of Nottingham; and the subscribers to a voluntary institution; for the purpose of providing a general lunatic asylum, near Nottingham; together with the by-laws, rules, orders and regulations.
The Site
A map showing the location of the asylum, Sneinton didn't become part of the borough of Nottingham until 1877, meaning that records show the asylum as being 'near Nottingham' rather than in it. This is important as County Asylum's usually sat outside of the city centre, in order to provide more open, green spaces as respite from the city, thought to be conducive to better mental health.
Comparatively, the site is now King Edwards Park which serves as a community space, childrens playground, allotments and skate park. The park is also home to STOP TRA (Sneinton Tennants Outreach Programme).
