History thumb|Print of the McLean Asylum in 1853, in Somerville MA. right|thumb|Map of the McLean Insane Asylum from an 1884 atlas of Somerville, Massachusetts McLean was founded in 1811 in a section of Charlestown, Massachusetts that is now a part of Somerville, Massachusetts. Originally named Asylum for the Insane, it was the first institution organized by a group of prominent Bostonians who were concerned about homeless mentally ill persons "abounding on the streets and by-ways in and about Boston". The effort was organized by Rev. John Bartlett, chaplain of the Boston Almshouse. The hospital was built around a Charles Bulfinch mansion, which became the hospital's administrative building; most of the other hospital buildings were completed by 1818.
history thumb|print of the mclean asylum in 1853 in somerville ma right|thumb|map of the mclean insane asylum from an 1884 atlas of somerville massachusetts mclean was founded in 1811 in a section of charlestown massachusetts that is now a part of somerville massachusetts originally named asylum for the insane it was the first institution organized by a group of prominent bostonians who were concerned about homeless mentally ill persons "abounding on the streets and by-ways in and about boston" the effort was organized by rev john bartlett chaplain of the boston almshouse the hospital was built around a charles bulfinch mansion which became the hospital's administrative building; most of the other hospital buildings were completed by 1818