Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century

*Content warning - In this talk, historical terminology relating to mental health is used. Some of this language is now considered outdated and may be regarded as offensive. It has been retained to reflect the historical context of the records and the attitudes of the period in which they were created.*

In the 19th century, it was widely accepted that conditions such as sleepwalking, epilepsy and changes in mental state were linked to the lunar cycle, giving rise to the term “lunatic,” derived from lunaticus (“of the moon”).

Rainhill Hospital opened on 1 January 1851 as the Third Lancashire County Lunatic Asylum, responding to a growing number of people labelled as mentally ill. Expanded in 1861, it became a vast Victorian institution, though today only a few farm buildings remain. Susan Bennett's fascinating talk explores life within the asylum from its opening to the late 1890s, set against wider social changes including the Irish Potato Famine and increased migration through Liverpool from across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Drawing on patient case records, it examines individuals’ lives before admission, their experiences of care, and their outcomes. Notably, the asylum followed a progressive principle for its time: the avoidance of physical restraint.

Staff and administrative records reveal the scale of the institution, including the costs of food and daily care, while personal accounts, such as a doctor’s diary, offer vivid insights into daily life.

Timings

Monday 14 September:

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Location & directions

Chester Lane Library, Four Acre Lane, Clock Face, St Helens, Merseyside, WA9 4DE

Contact on day:

St Helens Archive Service

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book your free ticket via the Eventbrite link. Booking goes live on 1st June 2026. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].

Booking contact name:

St Helens Archive Service

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988560784838?aff=oddtdtcreator

Booking opens:

01 Jun 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

14 Sep 2026 10:00 AM

Additional information

The talk will begin at 2:00pm and run for 1 hour. There will then be a 30 minute Q&A with the speaker.

Max number of people:

50

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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