Monday 12 April 2010

Lancaster Lunatic Asylum 2



Derelict building, obsolete term. Here is the building commonly known as 'Lancaster Lunatic Asylum' since its completion in 1816.

In the background is Morecambe Bay. The town of Morecambe is Lancaster's neighbouring seaside resort (click on the photo to enlarge).

10 comments:

  1. I am not sure that the term is obsolete. Perhaps when referring to a home for "mentally impaired people", I would have to agree, but I do know some Luatics, and there is simply no other word I would use to describe them :). Nice building.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, that's what I meant Sean: obsolete as a term for legal insanity. I'm aware it's still very much alive as derogatory slang! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is a beautiful old building. I really like the tower!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Not a bad place to hang out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a disgraceful and pathetic matter to use the term 'lunatic asylum', with all its negative and derogatory connotations acquired over the years. Having worked there for 25 years myself, I know it would distress a lot of people, staff as well as ex-patients, who strove so hard to overcome the prejudice even still existing in society today, among supposedly intelligent people.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have just found out that my great great grandfather died there in 1912. 32 years of age, ill due an accident at sea. That is what it says on his death cert. You can not rewrite history. We can not project today's morality to those days. Peace be apon him

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think that it is one of the best buildings in the world, I have been there and I tried to take many pictures but the security didn't permit me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is an impressive castle, I like a lot watching and reading about the history behind some of the greatest castles in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My Great Grandmother died here 1st June 1892. I don't think she was a 'Lunatic' - I think it was depression after her baby boy died in 1887. What Mother, even today, would not be depressed after losing her baby. People in those days didn't understand and lacked compassion.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the comment in advance. All thoughts are appreciated ~ Eamon.