General Information

Resident Staffwaterfall
Our resident staff leads our community outreach, teaches and directs our local volunteer clown service, manages land-based educational programs, coordinates construction projects on the land, and organizes volunteers.

The Land
Gesundheit! resides on a 300-acre pristine tract of farm and mountain land in rural West Virginia, with gardens, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, a lake, and clean air and water. Our buildings are stimulating, yet the surrounding natural environment is even more inspiring. With more than two miles of trails through a beautiful hardwood forest, your stay can be spent in close proximity with nature. The beautiful Greenbrier River and an historic covered bridge is a 15 minute walk away. The small town of Hillsboro (birthplace of Nobel Prize winning author Pearl S. Buck) is 5 miles away.

The Facilities

The first structure built by Gesundheit, the Workshop is a beautifully situated, multi-purpose space with plenty of space, including a wood working facility, a costume closet, arts & crafts area, and a large room for workshops, play, dance parties, theater, yoga, and other creative pursuits. The building is situated beside the lake, a short walk from the Farmhouse.

The Farmhouse is where people come together in the work and play of community. It serves as our cooking and dining space as well as a living room, library, office, and laundry area. Situated next to the garden, it also holds our pantry and root cellar.

The Dacha houses staff and volunteers, and is an architectural delight. Built on a traditional Russian design, with onion domes and charming internal spaces, it sits adjacent to the “Chrysalis”, a delightful small-group meeting space.

In the warmer months, two Yurts and the “Egal Dorm” can house up to 30 volunteers and special program participants.

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BuildingLearn About our Hospital Project simple-R-arrow

The Teaching Center building is planned in 25,000 square feet and in three stories with passive solar construction and green roof features. It is built over Pocahontas Creek. The center also has performance hall, black box theater, housing for 50 students, kitchen and cafe to serve 100 people.

Learn More

Volunteer On the Land! simple-R-arrow

getInvolvedRJoin us in the work/play of health-enhancing community-centered joyful service in Gesundheit’s Rural Volunteer Program!

An ongoing experiment in the therapeutic role of caring community, the Gesundheit! Institute brings students, volunteers, educators, cooks, gardeners, builders, and program attendees together from around the world.

Apply Today!

And just in case you were curious

We have not yet begun hospital construction, nor do we see patients or offer healthcare to the public on the land in West Virginia at this time.

We cannot accommodate unscheduled visitors at this point.
We are wheelchair accessible at this time.
And finally, Gesundheit is an alcohol and drug-free community!

Travel Information

We cannot accommodate unscheduled visitors at this point. Please see our Upcoming Programs.

Arrivals (date):

  • AMTRAK: the westbound train arrives in White Sulphur Springs, WV at 5pm; the eastbound train arrives at 11:25am.
  • AIR: Greenbrier Regional Airport (LWB) in nearby Lewisburg is served by Continental Airlines connecting from Cleveland with arrivals on Sunday at 1:40pm and 6:25pm; and by Delta Airlines connecting from Atlanta with arrivals on Sunday at 1:31pm.

Departures (Date):

  • AMTRAK: the eastbound train departs White Sulphur Springs, WV at 11:25am, the westbound train at 5pm.
  • AIR: Greenbrier Regional Airport (LWB) departure times are 1pm and 5pm (Continental), and 1:56pm (Delta).
It’s also possible to fly to Washington DC and make a connection to Amtrak or rent a car (5 hours drive to Hillsboro).

Gesundheit staff can shuttle people to and from the train station in White Sulphur Springs and the airport in Lewisburg on Sunday and Wednesday only.

 

Traveling by Car?

  • On I-64 at Lewisburg, WV exit onto 219 going North.
  • After about 40 minutes, turn right on Locust Creek Road (veers sharply down opposite a sign for quarter horses, 2 miles south of Hillsboro. The turn is easy to miss—if you find yourself in Hillsboro, you’ve driven 2 miles past the turn!).
  • Take Locust Creek Road for about 10 minutes, over a bridge; the Gesundheit sign will be on the right.
  • Follow the gravel road all the way past the workshop to the parking area near the farmhouse and Dacha.

Gesundheit is located in a rural, mountainous area, so the roads are narrow and winding. PLEASE make travel plans in advance.

 

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How to Contact Us

Gesundheit Institute
2234 Locust Creek Rd.
Hillsboro, WV 24946

T: 304-653-4338

Patch Adams MD & Gesundheit Institute, P.O. Box 307, Urbana, IL 61803

© Copyright 2024 Gesundheit! Institute