Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Dr. Sarah Gallup
  • 4.9 (59)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast examines the history of now-defunct or abandoned psychiatric hospitals. Listen every week to learn about the history of mental health care and the true stories of the people who lived and worked behind the walls.

  1. DEC 9

    Ep. 98: History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Part 1 (1858-1893)

    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 the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    37 min

  2. OCT 28

    Ep. 97: Interview with Jacqui Sanders

    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: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    53 min

  3. SEP 29

    Ep. 96: History of the Fernald State School (1950-2014)

    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. Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    35 min

  4. SEP 2

    Ep. 95: History of the Fernald State School (1912-1949)

    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 and dependent adults, and mention of eugenics. My primary sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald State School website and the book The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D'Antonio. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript. Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    33 min

  5. AUG 11

    Ep. 94: History of the Fernald State School (1889-1912)

    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 listed at the end of the episode transcript. Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Follow on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show

    36 min

  6. JUL 28

    Ep. 93: History of the Fernald State School (1852-1888)

    Send us a text This week we discuss the many changes in the Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth, which included a name change, three locations, and three different superintendents. Find out what an average day looked like at the school, what the guidelines were for teaching children with developmental disabilities, and why they kept moving the school to new locations. The primary sources for this episode are the annual reports available on the Fernald State School website. Be sure to follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    31 min

  7. JUL 14

    Ep. 92: History of the Fernald State School, Part 1 (1845-1852)

    Send us a text This week we look at the early beginnings of what would become the Fernald State School in Massachusetts. At its outset, it was known as the Experimental School for Teaching and Training Idiotic Children. Find out how developmental disorders were classified back in the mid-19th century and what the school hoped to teach their students. Trigger warning for outdated and ableist language, strong overtones of discrimination and dehumanization, and abuse toward children. My main sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald State School archives and the Wikipedia page on the Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center. Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    37 min

  8. JUN 30

    Ep. 91: History of Spinalonga Leper Colony

    Send us a text This week we reminisce about Sarah's recent trip to Crete and her visit to the Spinalonga Leper Colony. Learn about the three different "eras" the island experienced as a Venetian stronghold, Ottoman outpost, and leper colony. Discover more about leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, and the stigma surrounding it that persisted for centuries. Sources used in this episode include the Spinalonga website and Wikipedia articles on Spinalonga and leprosy. Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast Support the show

    27 min
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4.9
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

This podcast examines the history of now-defunct or abandoned psychiatric hospitals. Listen every week to learn about the history of mental health care and the true stories of the people who lived and worked behind the walls.

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