Go Back In Time And Marvel At Medical History On The Grounds Of This Old Indiana Insane Asylum
By Tori Jane|Published June 20, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Who says that creepy things are reserved only for when the leaves begin falling and the night begins to get longer? Who says we can’t celebrate Indiana’s spooky places all year round? Well, we sure don’t. And, as a celebration of one of the creepiest places in the Hoosier State, you’ve got to check this one out – the Indiana Medical History Museum is a lot darker than it sounds at first glance. It’s a museum, sure – but it’s a museum inside what used to be a mental hospital not exactly known for its humane treatment of patients.
When it opened in 1848, the establishment was called the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, though it was later shortened to Central State Hospital.
The grounds have been converted to a museum, which is great news for those of us who appreciate a little bit of morbid history from time to time. Where better to learn about parts of Indiana's darkest pasts than in one of the places where it took place?
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The "heart" (see what we did there?) of the museum is inside the Old Pathology Building.
The Old Pathology Building is historically significant on its own; it's the oldest still-standing pathology building in the United States. The Old Pathology Building re-opened in 1969 as a museum after shutting its doors for good in the early 1960s. In its heyday, patients were "treated" for everything from schizophrenia to depression, alcoholism, "hysteria," and even epilepsy.
During its 150-year history, Central State Hospital found itself at the center of controversy after controversy until it finally shut its doors in 1994.
Today, it still looks like it did when it opened as a museum in 1969.
It's fascinating to be able to step back in time simply by stepping into a room, and that's part of the charm of the Indiana Medical History Museum now.
Of course, visitors are able to explore more areas on the grounds than just the Old Pathology Building.
Make sure to take the time to explore the teaching amphitheater, various laboratories which served varied purposes, the library, and other areas. You can also check out the old autopsy room, and the anatomical museum still has specimens on display.
Anyone with even a little bit of interest will love walking the grounds of the Indiana Medical History Museum.
