Kentucky Historic Institutions was founded in 2016 by four dedicated and passionate friends. We have spent years compiling research; however, this work did not begin with us. The Lunatic Asylum of Kentucky (Eastern State Hospital) was founded by a group of Kentucky citizens who wanted to provide a safe place for the poor and indigent to be welcomed. Centuries later, physicians, nurses and advocates, including Dorothea Dix, have fought for moral and humane treatment of those with mental illness. Eastern State Hospital nurse Majel Moore began preserving memories and events from the hospital during her tenure in the middle of the 20th century. Decades later, another Eastern State Hospital nurse, Mary Hatton, came together with Bruce Burris, Phil Tkacz and others. This group has compiled thousands of documents, photographs and memories (with nearly as many hours). We are also proud to honor John Amerine and his late wife Angela for their years of dedicated research in preserving the history of Waverly Hills Sanatorium and, later, Woodhaven Geriatric Center.

Angela Amerine

Waverly Hills Sanatorium Historian

John Amerine

Waverly Hills Sanatorium Historian

We sincerely apologize if we have left out any names on this list. We will update this list as needed. If you would like to see someone specific on this list, please feel free to contact us so we can review the request.