Maidstone Lunatic Asylum

[SCH]

My GGG Grandfather worked at the Maidstone Lunatic Asylum at Barming Heath as a 'Keeper'.

I've looked for a picture of the Maidstone Asylum - but no joy. Does anyone have a link either of how it used to look, or how it's looked in more recent years - I think some of it might have gone into flats ?!?

Also, what would a 'Keeper' do ? Is it just a name for an attendant ?

Many thanks in advance for everyones time.

[bearkat]

Here is a photograph of the hospital.

http://www.countyasylums.com/mentalasylums/kent.htm

[SCH]

Thats absolutely fantastic bearkat !!!

Loads of photo's there. Many thanks.

Would be great to see an 'oldie' photo or two..........maybe one with staff taken inside the building.

[bearkat]

Would be great to see an 'oldie' photo or two..........maybe one with staff taken inside the building.

There must be some old photos somewhere but I can't find them on the internet.  You could try the Centre for Kentish Studies.

However I doubt if there will many of the inside, the Victorians made sure the mentally ill were kept out of sight.

[SCH]

Would be great to see an 'oldie' photo or two..........maybe one with staff taken inside the building.

There must be some old photos somewhere but I can't find them on the internet.  You could try the Centre for Kentish Studies.

However I doubt if there will many of the inside, the Victorians made sure the mentally ill were kept out of sight.

Obviously, I don't want any of the patients, but to see a general view of the inside would be 'interesting'.

[lindylou2_2002]

it is now on the site of part of Maidstone hospital so maaybe if you contact them they might have some historical data base or something to point you in the right direcion.

[SCH]

it is now on the site of part of Maidstone hospital so maaybe if you contact them they might have some historical data base or something to point you in the right direcion.

lindylou2 - thank you very much indeed for that information.

I'll write them a short note and see what they might have, or if not them, then who might.

[bearkat]

Here's an a few aerial photos of the redevelopment of the site:

http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=3090

[bearkat]

And   if you go to search picture gallery
 and enter Oakwood in the search box, there is another photo taken before redevelopment. 

http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/home.asp?JS=True

It really gives an idea of the scale of the place.