Burntwood Asylum
 

Stafford County Asylum, Burntwood

The Stafford County Asylum opened at Burntwood on December 20th 1864, with the admission of 122 inmates transferred from Chester (temporarily sent there as Stafford had no room). The architect was Mr. William Lambie Moffatt (1808-1882) of Edinburgh who was also responsible for a number of public buildings in Leeds and Wakefield. 

The East Wing was added in 1867 which brought the total accommodation to 530 inmates. Three Female wards were erected in 1897, followed by two Male wards in 1898 in addition to large bays being added to the existing wards.

A cemetary was consecrated in 1867 and was used until the 1920's, there was also a small Chapel in the cemetery which was demolished in the 1960's. A few headstones of Soldiers survive in the graveyard, which doesn't show the true picture of the number of graves which runs into four figures.

Work was part of the treatment regime, and inmates would be employed in varying activities. The Men would work on the farm, as shoemakers, tailors and ward cleaners. Women would work in the laundry, kitchen or needlework and ward cleaners.

The Old Chapel was situated above the Dining Hall and the last service held was on August 14th 1899, however a new Chapel was erected in the grounds, later called St Matthews Church.

Social change affected Burntwood as elsewhere, and the Asylum was gradually becoming a Hospital. New Laboratories were provided where Doctors could conduct research into the causes and cure of lunacy. In 1924 an operating table was purchased. Occupational Therapy was introduced as treatment for the inmates, and a formal Nurse Training School was opened in 1946. In 1948 following the introduction of the National Health Service Burntwood Asylum became St Matthews Hospital.

Kelly's Directory 1896
The County Lunatic Asylum, Burntwood, near Lichfield was opened in 1864, and accommodates 600 inmates. The cost of erection, purchase of 147 acres of land, and the furniture of the establishment amounted to £86,000.

When we arrived in March 2000 to take the photographs we 
discovered that a large part of the building had been demolished and the site was covered in heavy plant which made access to the building difficult.

The site is being redeveloped to provide housing in the area. We were told by one of the workmen that part of the original building is being converted into apartments. The church (St Matthews) which formed part of the complex is intact. 

Staffordshire Record Office
County Buildings
Eastgate Street
Stafford
ST16 2LZ
Telephone: U.K. 01785 278379
http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/archives/index.htm 

Page updated August 06, 2007