The Henry County Heritage Trust will present a special program exploring the history and beginnings of Mount Pleasant’s Mental Health Institute at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Henry County Heritage Center Museum, 403 West Madison Street, Mount Pleasant.
Opened in 1861, the sprawling complex was originally known as the “Insane Asylum” and later the Iowa State Hospital. Mount Pleasant’s MHI was one of only four such institutions in Iowa and, for many years, stood as one of the region’s largest employers. The program will provide an in-depth look at its origins, operations, and impact on the community.
The event is free to attend and will include refreshments. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at (319) 217-6042.