BEECHWORTH ASYLUM
Beechworth Asylum, once known as, Mayday Hills Psychiatric Hospital is a decommissioned ‘lunatic’ Asylum nestled on the outskirts of the rural Victorian town of Beechworth. The 200-acre site was chosen based on the belief that its altitude held the power to purify patients of their ailments. Beechworth Asylum was established in 1867 under Superintendent Thomas Dick. Over its 128-year existence, this ominous institution swelled to its peak, housing a total of 1,200 patients, alongside a staff of 500. Within its walls, over 9,000 souls met their untimely demise, laid to rest in unmarked graves on the asylum grounds.
The absence of medications until the 1950s meant patients were restrained using straight jackets, shackles and isolation boxes. The chilling practice of prefrontal lobotomies and mass shock treatments gripped the asylum in the late 1940s and 50s, often conducted within the Grevillia Building. Patients were also subjected to compulsory work, men were designated as labourers while women were tasked with domestic duties. The investigation by the royal commission on psychiatric care resulted in the closure of Beechworth Asylum in 1998 following substantial findings of misconduct and hardship.
HAUNTINGS AT BEECHWORTH ASYLUM
The Grevillia building harbours a grim and eerie history marked by numerous tragic deaths. Visitors have reported sighting the apparition of a male doctor within its walls. Matron Sharpe, a compassionate figure from the 1800s, renowned for her empathetic care towards patients is said to manifest in both the dormitories and inside the Grevillia building. Despite the chilling atmosphere, those who encounter her speak of feeling a sense of tranquility and warmth in her presence.
Arthur, a devoted caretaker of Beechworth Asylum for many years, remains as a constant presence wearing his distinctive green woollen jacket. During his life, nurses urged him to shed his jacket but Arthur kept it on year-round, regardless of the season. Upon his passing, a hidden collection of four years worth of wages was discovered carefully tucked away in the seams of his jacket. Even in spirit, Arthur’s presence continues to oversee the gardens of Beechworth Asylum with a vigilant eye.
Jim Kelly, the uncle of notorious Bushranger Ned Kelly, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour at Beechworth Asylum for arson, his punishment involved contributing to construction efforts. After completing his tasks, Jim experienced a decline in his mental well-being, ultimately resulting in a diagnosis of his mind being “broken.” Subsequently, he transitioned from labourer to patient, spending the remainder of his days within the asylum until his passing in 1903. Jim was laid to rest in an unmarked grave within the asylum, his name is scratched into the glass of one of the day rooms he is said to still haunt.
The kitchen is said to be a particularly active area where visitors often experience gentle tugs on their clothing or playful pokes in the ribs. These occurrences are attributed to Tommy, a beloved kitchen-hand whose spirit is said to still roam in the very place where he met his unfortunate end. Additional reports mention the presence of a young boy named Benjamin haunting the kitchen, known for startling unsuspecting guests with unexplained scratches.
In a hall that used to be filled with music and movies back in 1939, there are stories of two ghosts. One is a young girl who likes women and often tries to communicate with them. The other is an older man who stands quietly facing away from the window, bringing an air of mystery to the hall’s history.
VISITING BEECHWORTH ASYLUM
Beechworth Asylum is tainted by a long history of sorrow and suffering and bore witness to thousands of deaths during its years of operation, so it’s no wonder there are numerous reports of paranormal occurrences. From slamming doors, clapping, knocks, whispers and phantom footsteps to the unsettling sounds of children at play, ghostly faces in misted windows and haunting orbs. Given the abundance of unexplainable activity, it’s no surprise that Beechworth Asylum stands as a prime Australian destination for any avid paranormal investigators. Whether partaking in a historical tour or a ghostly adventure, Beechworth Asylum guarantees a truly unique experience for anyone wishing to visit.
If you enjoyed reading about the ghosts that haunt Beechworth Asylum you may also be interested in reading about the notoriously haunted Aradale Asylum in Ararat, Australia.
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