Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > National Archives
Foresters Asylum, Bexleyheath
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Foresters Asylum, Bexleyheath
The Foresters Asylum, Bexleyheath, Kent, 1890 Date: 1890
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 7402193
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10474227
EDITORS COMMENTS
Foresters Asylum, Bexleyheath, Kent, 1890: A Glimpse into the Past of Mental Health Care This evocative photograph, taken in 1890, captures the Foresters Asylum in Bexleyheath, Kent, during the 19th century. The image offers a poignant glimpse into the past of mental health care, a time when institutions like this one played a significant role in the treatment and care of individuals with mental health conditions. The Foresters Asylum, also known as the Bexley-Heath Lunatic Asylum, was established in 1868 to provide care for the mentally ill in the county of Kent. This institution, like many others of its time, was designed to be self-sufficient and included farmland, greenhouses, and even a cemetery on its grounds. The asylum's capacity was around 400 patients, and it was renowned for its picturesque surroundings and spacious buildings. In this photograph, we see the main building of the asylum, which appears grand and imposing. The red-brick structure, with its tall, arched windows, exudes a sense of institutional authority. The meticulously manicured gardens, with their neatly trimmed hedges and well-tended flower beds, contrast sharply with the somber, grey sky above. It is essential to remember that the treatment of mental health conditions during this era was vastly different from what we know today. Patients were often subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions, including isolation, physical restraints, and even electric shock therapy. However, the Foresters Asylum, like many other institutions, sought to provide a more humane and compassionate environment for its patients. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the past and the evolution of mental health care. It offers a glimpse into a time when institutions like the Foresters Asylum played a crucial role in caring for individuals with mental health conditions, even as we continue to strive for better understanding and more effective treatments.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
