Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th Century New York (by Stacy Horn)
For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with institutions. I suppose it’s because I have a curiosity for places not accessible to everyone and the people who live and work in those places. I’ve looked forward to reading Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th Century New York by Stacy Horn as I had never heard of Blackwell’s Island and the subject matter seemed a perfect fit for my interests.
As revealed in the book, Blackwell’s Island is now known as Roosevelt Island, a two-mile stretch of land in the East River. It was named Blackwell’s Island after a family who were long-time residents and owners of the island. In 1826, the almshouse at Bellevue Hospital was overcrowded and city officials purchased the island as the new location for the almshouse. Over the next several decades, more and more institutions were added to the island. There were hospitals, a penitentiary, workhouses, a smallpox hospital, an asylum for people with mental illness, and a home for children and elderly men and women.
Author Stacy Horn takes the reader on a guided history of life on Blackwell’s Island through its former residents. There are many stories depicting the lack of simple sanitation of the institutions and residents, plus countless stories resulting in tragic deaths due to a lack of medical attention and outright neglect. Stacy tells the accounts of officials who contributed to the problems and the reformers who tried to affect change. Journalists secretly infiltrated the asylum to gain a perspective on living conditions and treatment to share with the public. The famous Nelly Bly who wrote the book Ten Days in a Mad House is highlighted in this book. Another significant character of the time was Reverend French, who ministered the poor souls, testified at trials, and fought injustices.
At the end of its existence, administrators commented that the staff on Blackwell’s Island did the best they could, regarding the care of their patients, with what they knew at the time. My immediate thought was, “Did you?” I understand medical and psychological care has since become quite advanced, but the simple attitude and behavior of compassion for others has been around since the beginning of time. The humans in their care were certainly denied basic care and compassion, which to me, is unfathomable.
I enjoyed learning the history of Blackwell’s Island and cringed at the stories told of its former residents. Books such as this are important to educate us about the past treatment of humans so that we can appreciate the growth and continue to aspire for more change.
I borrowed the audiobook of Damnation Island from my local library through the Hoopla app. Narration by Pam Ward made for a nice listening experience.
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