Monthly Archives: January 2012

I learned a new word today. While researching “Amusements” in the asylum’s nineteenth century annual reports, to learn what patients might have been doing during the cold winter months, I found a reference in 1878 to hebdomadal dancing parties. I … Continue reading →

The largest foundry in the Midwest, Eagle Ironworks, provided the ironwork for the construction of the asylum. The mandala shaped grates in the windows of patient rooms as well as details of the asylum’s interior and exterior spaces originated at … Continue reading →

Winter is an interesting time to hike on The Ridges. You notice things that aren’t so apparent in the profusion of green in the summer, like moss, the vertical patterns made by trees in the forest, the texture of  the … Continue reading →

Milt Greek, M.A.  will be presenting a workshop Tuesday March 13th, 2012 in Athens, available for ceu’s for Ohio counselors and social workers. Read more about his holistic, person-centered approach at  http://www.schizophreniablueprint.com/ The website also has a link to a … Continue reading →

The Therapeutic Landscapes Network blog http://www.healinglandscapes.org/blog/2012/01/the-quiet-joys-of-january/  explores the connection between nature and health. Today’s entry featured  the quiet joys of January and the value of stillness and quiet. The grounds of the asylum landscape must have been quiet, with its … Continue reading →

138 years ago today the Athens asylum opened, delayed six months by cold, wet weather which had slowed the making of its millions of bricks. Built to nineteenth century psychiatry’s “gold standard”, the Kirkbride Plan for moral treatment, the asylum’s … Continue reading →