I found this eerie article on brainpickings.org about photographer Christopher Payne who has documented the afterlife of 19th century insane asylums – hauntingly beautiful buildings and fascinating glimpses into the lives of the people who lived there and what remains of these institutions now. You can read the rest of the article here. All images from Christopher Payne.
Straightjacket, Logansport State Hospital, Indiana
Patient Dresses, Clarinda State Hospital, Iowa
Typical Ward, Buffalo State Hospital, New York
Autopsy Theater, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, DC – beautiful Eames chairs
Patient Toothbrushes, Hudson River State Hospital, New York
Beauty Salon, Trenton State Hospital, New Jersey
Patient Suitcases, Bolivar State Hospital, Tennessee
Mead Buliding Lobby, Yankton State Hospital, South Dakota
Bathtub, Fairfield State Hospital, Connecticut
Bowling Shoes, Rockland State Hospital, New York
Hall with Chairs, Taunton State Hospital, Massachusetts
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