Currently, if you are a researcher interested in accessing records from Central State Hospital and are not a descendant or relative of a former patient, you can contact the hospital’s Release of Information Officer, Kenneth Pritchett, at kenneth.pritchett@dbhds.virginia.gov. Depending on the information that you seek, you may need to submit a formal request through the hospital’s Research Review Board. A request does not guarantee access.

The Library of Virginia also houses a collection of historical Central State Hospital records (1874-1961), which can be accessed in-person. The finding aid is available here. Please note that under the Virginia Public Health Records Act, application and admission registers that are less than 125 years old are now closed. This is a change from the previous 75 year requirement established by the Library of Virginia. The act can be accessed here.