A Dark and Complicated History
The Psychiatric History Tour of New York City offers a unique and fascinating deep dive into the city’s dark and crazy history of mental health care or lack thereof, frankly. The three-hour walking tour by Purefinder delves into the evolution of psychiatric treatment and the notable, familiar figures involved. Historic sites including former locations of mental institutions and influential psychiatric practices are stops along the way with some fun intersections of pop trivia and unexpected segues as well.
Created by the animated and knowledgeable British transplant K. Krombie who has crafted other juicy New York tours on the dark and mysterious side, this informative tour also provides some cheeky anecdotes and a bit of levity along the way, too. Nonetheless, the tour does provoke important thoughtful reflection on the complicated subject matter.
The resonating wow factor endows guests with insights into unsavory mental health policies and practices once considered groundbreaking, some of which still exist today.
Shocking History
The intriguing educational journey through this facet of New York City’s complex history starts on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Carl Shurz Park adjacent to East 90th Street along the East River. The walk zig-zags through the area down to Central Park South. So it is advised to be mindful to wear comfortable shoes, pack a beverage, bring your meds, and be aware there are no bathroom breaks.
From the get-go, the historical connect-the-dots is a jaw-dropping look into some of the ridiculousness involved in the evolution of mental health practices with a focus on New York City. From sadistic institutions to psychoanalysis of the elite, to shock therapy, and the Sacklers, NYC serves as quite the stage for the mental health business. The tour begins with some context and a glimpse into 19th-century Europe’s psych practices, notably Germany. The discussion explores the rampant classism, sexism, phobias, and addiction factored into diagnostics. Krombie also delves deep into the practice of mixing criminals with the mentally ill in mental asylums like on Roosevelt and Blackwell Islands.
These places tout their fair share of ghost stories, I’m sure.
Author Charles Dickens visited the New York Lunatic Asylum on Roosevelt Island in 1842 and wrote that “Everything had a lounging, listless, madhouse air, which was very painful.”
The tour also explores the architectural and social impacts of these institutions on the cityscape, providing a truthful, interesting look at how mental health care transformed through the industrial era and into modern times. While the tour is ideal for history buffs, medical professionals, and those fascinated by the subject, tourists will also get a great familiarization with the NYC neighborhood along the way. I am looking forward to what else the animated Krombie has conjured up for another deep look beneath the surface of New York.
