Part of what I find so striking about the abandoned Medfield State Hospital are the small moments of decaying remnants that still reflect the experiences of the people who lived and died at this now abandoned asylum. While I walked through the grounds today, accompanied by an occasional turkey running off to the side of me and the sounds of cicadas surrounding me like a summer symphony, I tried to picture what it was to see these images when the asylum was bustling with life.
Here are a few of the moments that captured my imagination. What memories do you think are hidden within these images?
Both your words & your photos are very thought provoking. Methinks during your walking about the grounds you are experiencing the lingering presence of the people who lived there. In any case, you are paying homage to them with your musings & your picture taking.
ReplyDeleteMyron would advise you to journey to the spirit of the land who resides there to ask what stories are asking to be told & what offerings to make to both the land & the spirits of the residents who remain on the grounds. According to Myron, many mental hospitals & prisons were often built on former sacred burial grounds. You might want to research the history of the land...or ask the spirit of the land. You might also want to ask yourself what it is about this place that captivates you so.
Note: I do not pay my mother to leave comments on my blog.
DeleteJason, thanks for continuing to post the history of mental health. It is so important to remember our past.
ReplyDeleteI attempted to leave a comment on your blog last week. I don't see that it got through so am trying again to let you know that I so appreciate your work and your transparency here on The Irreverent Psychologist. I have nominated you for The Beautiful Blogger Award. You can read more about it here http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/ppio-just-nominated-for-the-beautiful-blogger-award/ . It seemed like a great way to both recognize your blog and to introduce my readers to you at the same time.
Thank you for all that you do.
Thanks so much!
DeleteI did my pre-doctoral internship at Napa State Hospital in California in 1991-92. Your photos bring back memories. So much untold history in places like these. Do you know about this?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.suitcaseexhibit.org/flashSite.html
I would love to see this exhibit.
Hi Sarah -- thanks for reminding me about the suitcase exhibit. I heard about it a few years back when I first started thinking about asylums. I think those of us who have worked in old asylums or modern day institutions hold so much important knowledge about stories that aren't told. The more years I've been licensed as a psychologist, the more I've become concerned about how I can ethically tell what I know about what it is like to be human in this world. The struggles of our patients are so important--both on their own individual level as well as for our whole society.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Jason - I too am very interested in the history of Medfield State Hospital as I believe my great aunt was once a patient there. I recently contacted the Dept of Mental Health to find out more and hopefully get assistance in secureing her medical records. I too, have walked through the grounds there and as a photographer, feel similarly to you when I see certain signs and such...its as though the place is trying to tell a story itself. I stumbled upon your blog while doing more research and am glad to read all you have written and look at the amazing photos you've taken. I hope I am able to put some of the pieces together about this distant relative and her time at this institution.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a challenge to get the medical records. Even as a living relative, there isn't a clear path for you to gain access. Do you have a blog? I'd love to see what you saw when you toured the old asylum!
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