The Tewksbury, MA Insane Asylum

The Tewksbury Almshouse was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts General Court in 1852 and opened in May 1854, accepting what was then known as the “pauper insane.” It was the state’s first facility to accept the chronically insane.
The Tewksbury Hospital Cemetery holds 10,000 unmarked graves from the people who resided at the insane asylum from the mid 1850's to the early 1900's. Many experiments were performed on the people that had no family to advocate for them. Sound familiar? History indeed repeats itself in some form or the other.....

[@michaelpelham9699]

I live very close to this area.
And over the years, my work has taken me inside.
There are programs there that cater to many populations that society would rather not advertise.
Every so often, some controversy is created here. You did a great job with this video.
I’m going to take a walk around.

[@ErinMcDermott]

@@michaelpelham9699 thank you

[@AmyInBoston]

This mental hospital is not abandoned. It's very active.

[@alangray9117]

Tunnel systems were used to transport patients, food, supplies etc in bad weather both hot and cold. Sensationalized in histories of these places in recent decades they also had practical uses. Beware of the mold in old buildings and tunnels as those pipes were likely wrapped in asbestos insulation. Also the buildings themselves have asbestos tile on the floors, lead paint on the walls and of course mold. Just wear a respirator rated for both mold and asbestos which can be bought for around $25 at home depot or lowes.

[@Ilostmyfob]

They cut down that BEAUTIFUL HUGE TREE! My sister hugged it - I have a picture.

[@tewksburydriver8624]

There were several old White house’s on the property that have since been removed. They were the Drs residences and had tunnels from the basements up to the infirmary and asylum buildings . If the Dr was summoned the tunnel was used to get there. Other tunnels were also used to transport the deceased to the cemetery. Most if not all of the tunnels have been sealed up.

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

Hey lady, great job

[@MizTubeFreak]

10,000 precious souls now with The Eternal Father, King of Kings, The Most High. No longer suffering but in newly restored glorified bodies... without pain nor suffering. A bitter-sweet thought.

[@redpine8665]

The account of one gentleman who was there only 1 year on a floor near the babies, said when he left, only one of the original babies survivred that year he was there. The nurses used to put morphine in the baby bottles to quiet them. Some never made a sound again. That practice went on for God knows how long.

[@ErinMcDermott]

Oh wow so sad

[@paulvonauch9419]

I would see these grave markers through the tree lines riding home on the school bus .

[@Ilostmyfob]

ha..we got BUSTED just trying to take pictures. I used to feed those little cats that needed food... :(

[@pattycakes62]

My grandfather is one of the 10 thousand

[@carolannpacificadam1944]

Patty-cakes..I'm sorry
I have been trying to find out where my mom had treatment in the late 50s
.
I have family who died inpatient in NY state
Wish I could understand why I want to know..

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

There used to be corn fields. It was very children of the corn.

[@ErinMcDermott]

@@holyfireholdingspace888 😳

[@timokeefe6327]

Most of the people who lived in tewksbury were there to work off debts often for rent

[@timokeefe6327]

Later in the twentieth century tewksbury was primarily the facility for chronic patients and for the elderly

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

I know there were German prisoners of war.

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

U.s.a. started eugenics

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

Tewksbury Hospital

[@carolannpacificadam1944]

What a beautiful place outside

[@petercole8798]

1 rosery to our lady mother of God. Will help.

[@stunnas_trash2854]

Buddy was just tryna hit livi and he ate shit over a head stone, most Tewksbury guy

[@Kjspun1021]

This is my backyard (really) ask me anything

[@holyfireholdingspace888]

Hey lady, great job