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Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

By: Dr. Sarah Gallup
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 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.© 2025 Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health True Crime World
Episodes
  • Ep. 94: History of the Fernald State School (1889-1912)

    Ep. 94: History of the Fernald State School (1889-1912)
    Aug 11 2025

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    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

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

    Ep. 93: History of the Fernald State School (1852-1888)
    Jul 28 2025

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    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
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Ep. 92: History of the Fernald State School, Part 1 (1845-1852)

    Ep. 92: History of the Fernald State School, Part 1 (1845-1852)
    Jul 14 2025

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    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
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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