Readers with an interest in mental hospitals may recall an ephemera item on the Danvers State Insane Asylum, with its decayed interiors and elaborate underground tunnel system.
In a similar vein, Lisa Rinzler has catalogued and photographed items found in the attic of the abandoned Willard Psychiatric Centre in New York’s Finger Lakes. Among the items found are hundreds of suitcases belonging to former residents, with photographs, drawings and notes by staff. One note, regarding a patient named Ethel, reads:
She is a manic of rather neurotic type, who is inclined to pout and grumble and find fault. It was discovered yesterday that she and Miss ___, another patient, had been in the habit of getting into bed together, probably at night, but they were found in bed together in the daytime and said to be having a jolly time. When discovered by Miss McMahon, charge attendant of the ward, they giggled and chuckled and told her there was a place for her if she would like to get in.
The site also includes recordings of recollections by former staff and inmates, spanning the 1940s through to the 1980s, with graphic descriptions of the facilities, treatments and the experience of a typical night shift. If the psychiatry of yore is a subject that intrigues, it’s worth a visit. Though you wouldn’t want to stay.
"Readers with an interest in mental hospitals..."
We were asking for that really.
Seriously though, it's fascinating stuff.
Posted by: newbie | November 27, 2008 at 09:22
“We were asking for that really.”
Hey, I read the comments. What’s a guy to think?
Posted by: David | November 27, 2008 at 09:58
"When discovered by Miss McMahon, charge attendant of the ward, they giggled and chuckled and told her there was a place for her if she would like to get in."
I admire their attitude...!
Posted by: JuliaM | November 27, 2008 at 10:41
"Sister Marie… returned alone to New York City in 1917, finding refuge as a boarder in her former mission house. She wrote to her father asking for help to get back home to Germany, but her letter was returned due to war-time mail restrictions. No longer known as Sister Marie, she was plagued by spiritual concerns for which she could find no relief. Theresa was admitted to Manhattan State Hospital in June 1918, where her religious background was thought to be a figment of her imagination."
Posted by: carbon based lifeform | November 27, 2008 at 13:06
Very interesting. The photos are lovely.
Posted by: Brian H | November 27, 2008 at 13:22
OT - For Fri Ephemera
http://current.com/items/89546563/world_record_base_jump.htm
Posted by: AntiCitizenOne | November 27, 2008 at 15:29
Thanks. You do know you can just email me? :)
Posted by: David | November 27, 2008 at 15:43
and lose the credit to another poster with the same link?!?!
;)
Posted by: AntiCitizenOne | November 27, 2008 at 16:18