The Worcester Insane Asylum opened on January 12, 1833. It was the first hospital of its kind built in the state of Massachusetts. Eventually the structure was to become overcrowded in 1870, and that's when the main Kirkbride building was constructed. Seven years later the new and improved Worcester State Hospital opened its doors. The building stood four stories tall, built of flagstone and brick, with 500 foot wings on each side and a breathtaking clock tower affixed atop the administration building in the middle. Separate dining, bathing and exercise facilities were located in each ward. Behind the main portion of the building were located dormitories for the staff, a chapel, and a kitchen. The hospital sat on a plot of several hundred acres of farmland, which were worked by the patients. Sigmund Freud visited this complex in 1909 during his only trip to America.

On July 22 1991 there was a massive fire in the Kirkbride, which destroyed the entire left wing of the building. Only Administration and the left wings were spared. The shell of the left wing was bulldozed, and the remaining stones from the wing were used to seal up the now gaping hole in the Administration side.

Worcester is still a functioning hospital today with newer buildings next to the Kirkbride on the campus, but it is under threats of closing as well.

Work crews are currently assembling on the site preparing to tear down the various buildings, including the wing that is no longer connected to the main clocktower and a food service building.