This particular asylum was established in 1851 and was modled after the Pennsylvania Institute. 

Taunton Information Page

Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital was opened in 1751 and was one of the nation's first hospitals and one of the first to also have psych wards. According to their own website they were dedicated to finding more humane ways to treat mental illness. In 1841 they opened the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. 

UPenn Timeline of the Institute

In the same year Emily visited her cousin in Philadelphia, Dickinson and her family traveled to Washington D.C. Dickinson’s father was a Yale graduate and Congressman. Though Dickinson did not travel often, she was very passionate about politics and current events and thoroughly enjoyed this visit. 

During Emily’s life, only a handful of her works were published, three of which being in publications in Brooklyn. 

“Emily Dickinson's Poems.” Emily Dickinson Biography, CliffsNotes, https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/e/emily-dickinsons-poems/emily-d….

This is where the majority of Dickinson’s works were published during her life.

“Emily Dickinson's Poems.” Emily Dickinson Biography, CliffsNotes, https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/e/emily-dickinsons-poems/emily-d….