Sheppard Pratt Historic Asylum

About the Tour

The history of Sheppard Pratt begins with getting to know our founder, Moses Sheppard (1775 – 1857), a Baltimore merchant, Quaker, and member of the Religious Society of Friends.

He envisioned an institution that would feel more like a home than a prison, that would treat patients with respect and dignity, and that would be surrounded by lush greenery that each patient could see from the windows that were present in all rooms. He wanted it to have recreational space, living quarters for doctors and staff, libraries, parlors, a chapel, and more. He wanted to leave a legacy, so instead of asking the state for funds, Sheppard petitioned the Maryland General Assembly for a private charter to establish The Sheppard Asylum that would be built according to his vision.

Join us for an exclusive tour of this historic site that is still operational to this day.