Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Send us a text This week we start a series on Sarah's "holy grail" asylum! Learn about why it took 23 years for the asylum to be built and who was involved in the labor. Find out how the hospital took on an additional role in the history of the American Civil War. And discover why there was such a high turnover of superintendents in the early days of asylum life. Follow the show on Instagram at @behindthewallspod Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support th...

Send us a text This week I interview historian Jacqui Sanders to discuss her study of the children and women of Aradale Mental Hospital in Australia and the release of her new book, Form of Insanity. Find out how Jacqui got drawn to Aradale and to the tragic stories she outlines in her book -- and find out what projects she has lined up next! Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: ...

Send us a text This week's episode examines the final decades of the Fernald State School. Find out about the pivotal moment in Ward 22 that forever changed the school. Learn about the fate of the Science Club members. And discover how the "research" of the past was unearthed. Main sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald School, as well as the book The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D'Antonio. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript....

Send us a text This week's episode discusses the years that Dr. Fernald, Dr. Greene, and Dr. Farrell were superintendents at the school. Learn about the legacy of one of the superintendents and how he single-handedly influenced New York and Massachusetts law. Learn about one boy who entered the Fernald State School at age 8 and who quickly became part of a group called "The Science Club." Trigger warnings for this episode include the use of outdated and ableist language, abuse toward children...

Send us a text This week we discuss the first two decades of Dr. Walter E. Fernald's tenure at the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded. Find out how he was able to expand the school in order to quickly grow to over 1,000 residents! Learn about Dr. Fernald's role in the eugenics movement of the early 20th century and what scholars were trying to legalize in the state of Massachusetts. My primary sources are the annual reports from the Fernald State School website. All other sources are ...