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This week's episode discusses the arc of deinstitutionalization at Greystone Park, from the early-1950s until the closure of the original Kirkbride building in 2008. Find out how many people lived at Greystone at its peak and how quickly that number dwindled. Learn about a class action lawsuit filed against the hospital due to the poor conditions for patients. Finally, discover just how many dangerous patients escaped in 1978 alone.

Sources for this week's episode include the Greystone Park annual reports, accessed via the New Jersey State Library website; the Images of America book on Greystone Park by Rusty Tagliareni and Christina Mathews; the Preserve Greystone Website; and the Greystone Oral History website.

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This week's episode focuses on how Greystone Park managed during the years of the Great Depression and World War II. From increased overcrowding due to war, economic difficulties, and multiple fires, find out how administration advocated for their patients and survived these challenging years. Learn how Dr. Curry spent his 30 year tenure at Greystone Park and his legacy that was left behind.

Primary sources include the Greystone Park annual reports (courtesy of the New Jersey State Library website) and the Images of America book on Greystone Park by Rusty Tagliareni and Christina Mathews.

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This week's episode discusses the history of the New Jersey State Insane Asylum from World War I until just before the Great Depression. Find out what circumstances led to the on-the-job death of the superintendent and find out what changes were made after a new superintendent took over. Finally, learn which ward was a favorite among the staff and public officials.

My two sources for this episode include various annual reports from Greystone Park (from the NJ State Library website), as well as excerpts from the Images of America book on Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital by Rusty Tagliareni and Christina Mathews.

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This week's episode examines the first couple decades of the State Asylum for the Insane in Morristown, New Jersey. Find out what an average day was like at the asylum, what treatments and entertainments were offered, and how long it took for the massive building to become overcrowded.

Primary sources include the Images of America book on Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital by Rusty Tagliareni and Christina Mathews, as well as a number of annual reports from the New Jersey State Library. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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This week's episode looks at the final decades of Volterra Lunatic Asylum through the lens of three different physicians who each left a lasting impact on the hospital: Dr. Claus Schilling, Dr. Franco Basaglia, and Dr. Gino Basci. Find out which doctor was later tried for war crimes and which one would go on to create the most radical psychiatric law in the world. Finally, hear the story of one patient who quite literally left a lasting mark on the hospital.

My main sources for this episode include the Manicomio di Volterra website and an article by John Foot called "Franco Basaglia and the Radical Psychiatric Movement in Italy, 1961-1978." All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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This week's episode covers a particularly turbulent time in Italian history: from WWI to WWII and the birth of the Republic. Find out how Volterra Lunatic Asylum fared during wartime and why it began to help feed the surrounding city of Volterra. Learn why the hospital superintendent was forced to retire after 34 years on the job. Discover how Fascism infiltrated every aspect of daily life.

My main sources for this episode are the Manicomio di Volterra website and several Britannica articles on WWI, WWII, and the rise of Facism. All sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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In this week's episode, we head to Tuscany, Italy, to the hilltop town of Volterra. Learn about the early history of the Volterra Lunatic Asylum, the political climate of Italy at the time, and the controversial treatments of the first asylum director, Dr. Luigi Scabia. Finally, hear the stories of two artists who were sent to Volterra later in their lives.

The main source for this episode is the Manicomio di Volterra website. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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This week's episode is perfectly-timed for Halloween! Learn about Rolling Hills Asylum as a haunted attraction and what draws people to the site. Find out about the staff and patients who lived at the poor farm and whose spirits are said to roam the halls still. Discover what is so creepy about the "Christmas Room" and what happens to visitors when they lie down on the autopsy slab in the morgue. Listen, if you dare, and find out how YOU can visit Rolling Hills Asylum!

All sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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