A glimpse into life at Rainhill Hospital from 1851–1890s, exploring patient and staff stories, and Victorian attitudes to mental health.

*Content warning - In this talk from author Susan Bennett, historical terminology relating to mental health is used. Please note that some of this language is now considered outdated and may be regarded as offensive.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.*

As part of Heritage Open Days 2026, St Helens Archive Service will be joined by author Susan Bennett for a talk on Rainhill Hospital in the 19th century.

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 in Merseyside 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. Together, these sources highlight key Victorian social issues, including poverty, addiction, mental illness and the treatments used.

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

Description supplied by the event organiser.