The museum is located in the last remaining part of the original asylum in Porirua. The main hall was a dormitory and an original restraint room is part of the building. In the grounds is a sun shelter built to keep patients out of direct sunshine as it damaged their skin if they were on particular medication.
A memorial for Dr Skay, first inspector of asylums in New Zealand, is next to the hospital.
The museum is situated in F Ward Block, Upper Main Drive, Porirua Hospital Campus, Porirua