Objectives In the context of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Hôpital en santé mentale Albert-Prévost, the present article retraces the history of this pioneering institution in the provision of psychiatric care in the province of Québec. Methods Multiple psychiatrists and health-care professionals who once worked or are still working at Albert-Prévost were interviewed to record their recollection of how psychiatric care was delivered as knowledge about mental illness progressed and how different defining historical events concerning the administration of this institution unfolded. Private and public archives as well as articles documenting the history of this institution were consulted in order to contextualize the participants' experiences. Results A brief exploration of the historical and political context that led to the creation of the Sanatorium Albert-Prévost is provided. The key administrative, political and sociological issues are described at each critical period as well as the interplay between the growing knowledge base about the causes and treatments of psychiatric problems and different models of provision of care as different generations of clinicians search for an optimal practice and organisation of care. It's triple mission of care, teaching and research is described. Conclusion The Hôpital en santé mentale Albert-Prévost has contributed in a significant manner in the shaping of mental health care provision in Québec and several physicians and other health care professionals who have worked there, throughout the past century, have been key contributors to the social, educational, cultural and political advances in this province.