Google Images has an extensive collection of Life Magazine pictures, including many of Worcester State Hospital from the late 1940s. See this post and this post for some examples.
Tip: if you want to see some cool Higgins Armory pictures, search under Worchester (yes, with an “h”; though this is one that’s labeled with “Worcester”).
Thanks so much for posting this. My step-father was a psychiatrist who worked at the hospital during those years. I’ve not seen him in any of the posted photos, but will keep following these links.
I also remember the old Gardner State Hospital. Our school arranged to have kids go there to sing Christmas carols.
As scary as these scenes can be, they also show how desperately we sought, and continue to seek, treatments that would relieve the suffering brought about by mental illness. Some would argue that the misery resulting from the treatments is greater than the core illness. That’s true in more than a few cases. Unfortunately, that’s how most medicine and most public policy works – advancements for many often results in great suffering for a few.
When I was in high school, we (school chorus and orchestra) performed at Worcester State Hospital. All I can say is…best audience ever.
Awesome. I wrote an article about the history and future of the site and talked with some people from Preservation Worcester. There are also some photos! Check it out.
http://ashleyklann.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/worcester-state-hospital/
If you’d like to see some of the other shots, please let me know.
I;m looking for pictures of the old Bryan building