Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals
Dr. Sarah Gallup
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.
- 35 minutes 12 secondsEp. 100: History of Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Part 3 (1940-2026)
IT'S MY 100th EPISODE!!! This week we wrap up the history of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and find out which treatment was used over a two-week period in an attempt to discharge patients quickly from the hospital. Discover how nine patients from the criminally insane ward escaped. And learn about how the asylum came back to life after it closed its doors in 1994.
My main source is The Haunted History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by Sherri Brake. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.
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
20 January 2026, 3:02 am - 36 minutes 34 secondsEp. 99: History of Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (1893-1940)
This week we look at the expansion of the asylum around the turn of the 20th century. Find out what types of treatment were used, learn what unusual (and sad) reasons got people committed to the asylum, and discover who was setting a series of dangerous fires. Learn more about influenza and tuberculosis treatment at the hospital, as well.
The main source for this episode is the book The Haunted History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum by Sherri Brake.
Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast
Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast
Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod
30 December 2025, 5:03 am - 37 minutes 3 secondsEp. 98: History of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Part 1 (1858-1893)
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
9 December 2025, 3:58 am - 52 minutes 36 secondsEp. 97: Interview with Jacqui Sanders
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
28 October 2025, 3:08 am - 35 minutes 19 secondsEp. 96: History of the Fernald State School (1950-2014)
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
29 September 2025, 2:38 am - 33 minutes 12 secondsEp. 95: History of the Fernald State School (1912-1949)
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
2 September 2025, 2:27 am - 35 minutes 35 secondsEp. 94: History of the Fernald State School (1889-1912)
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
11 August 2025, 3:05 am - 30 minutes 47 secondsEp. 93: History of the Fernald State School (1852-1888)
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
28 July 2025, 2:54 am - 37 minutes 6 secondsEp. 92: History of the Fernald State School, Part 1 (1845-1852)
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
14 July 2025, 1:32 am - 27 minutes 26 secondsEp. 91: History of Spinalonga Leper Colony
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
30 June 2025, 2:37 am - 15 minutes 31 secondsEp. 90: Legends and Lore of Camarillo State Hospital
This week we look at some of the paranormal activity and stories that have come from Camarillo State Hospital. Find out about the woman in white, the creepy goings-on in the former children's building, and the Scary Dairy. If YOU have a scary story from Camarillo State Hospital, please let me know!
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
26 May 2025, 11:25 pm - More Episodes? Get the App