Glore Psychiatric Museum

Glore FAQ

Is this the Glore?

When people walk through our door we are often asked “Is this the Glore?” Yes! The Glore is part of the St. Joseph Museums. It can be confusing because the St. Joseph Museums is comprised of many museums and they might not all seem to fit together! However, this allows us to tell a very unique and interesting history of St. Joseph.

What’s behind the razor wire?

You may notice our neighbors behind the razor wire when you enter the museum. This is the Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center, yes it’s a prison and it’s housed in many of the original buildings of the State Hospital. In 1997, mental health services were moved to the newly built Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center across the street from the old hospital while turning over the old grounds to the Missouri Department of Corrections. Retaining much of the historic aspects of the buildings, the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center located in St. Joseph, Missouri, officially opened in September of 1999.

What about that white building, with all the broken windows?

That is Progress Hall. It was built in 1893 and it housed the chapel, barbershop, patient library, and for a time the Psychiatric Museum. It was slated to be torn down by the prison.

Is the museum haunted?

Some people think so while others don’t. Many paranormal investigation groups routinely visit both our location here and the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. These groups have reported paranormal activity on a regular basis in many locations throughout the museum. Some of these paranormal investigations are open to the public. If you are interested in joining them or learning more about their findings on previous investigations you can start by visiting some of their websites

Research Materials and General History

• American Indian History: Iowa, Sac, & Fox — Harry L. George Collection
• Jesse James
• Missouri History — St. Joseph & Area History — Western Movement: Lewis & Clark, Oregon Trail and California Trail
• Psychiatric History
• The Civil War: Missouri and Kansas
• The Pony Express
• Trappers and Traders: Robidoux Family

3406 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO, 64506, (816)232–8471

• The award-winning Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the 145-year history of the state hospital and centuries of mental health treatment. It is located on the adjoining grounds of the original state hospital.
• Surgical tools, treatment equipment, furnishings, nurse uniforms, personal notes, and other items from the hospital are on display.
• Fascinating artwork from hospital patients will give you a glimpse into the minds of those who suffered with mental illness.
• The embroidered words of a mute schizophrenic speak volumes.
• Pottery, paintings, drawings, and other artwork on display gave patients both therapy and an outlet to express their pain, joy, and hopes.

The original ‘State Lunatic Asylum №2’ opened in November 1874 with 250 patients on land located east of the City of St. Joseph. Dr. George C. Catlett, the hospital’s first Superintendent, explained that the hospital was dedicated “to the noble work of reviving hope in the human heart and dispelling the portentous clouds that penetrate the intellects of minds diseased.” In 1968, George Glore, an employee of the St. Joseph State Hospital, helped construct a series of full-size replicas of primitive 17th, 18th, and 19th century treatment devices for a Mental Health Awareness Week open house. Those exhibits impressed the hospital officials and sparked the idea to create the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Today, George’s treatment device replicas remain an integral part of the museum’s exhibits.

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