Abandoned Asylum with a Dark History: Fernald State School

In this episode, I’m exploring the abandoned Fernald State School, the oldest mental institution for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Western Hemisphere. Once a facility aimed at reintegrating youths, it later became notorious for neglect and shocking human experiments conducted on patients, including radioactive testing by Quaker Oats and MIT. Officially closing in 2014, Fernald's dark legacy reflects the troubling past of care for those with intellectual disabilities in the U.S.

Let’s explore!

Check out last week's video: Exploring an UNTOUCHED Abandoned Dentist Office
   • Exploring Abandoned Dental Clinic: Ow...  

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Fernald State School, the oldest mental institution for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Western Hemisphere, was built in 1848 in South Boston. Initially focused on reintegrating high-functioning youths, the institution expanded in the late 1880s to accommodate adults with chronic disabilities, growing to 72 buildings across nearly 200 acres and housing over 2,500 patients at its peak. As the 20th century progressed, rising enrollment and a shortage of caregivers led to neglect and inhumane conditions, worsened during World Wars I and II. In the late 1940s and early '50s, shocking radioactive experiments by Quaker Oats and MIT on over 70 boys underscored its dark legacy. With neglect contributing to tragic deaths and a societal shift toward community care, enrollment declined, leading to financial struggles and the school’s closure in 2014, marking the end of an era for one of the most notorious asylums in U.S. history.

00:00 - Fernald State School Intro
02:21 - Main Campus
09:45 - Gymnasium
11:28 - Dormitories
14:38 - Admin Building
16:17 - Auditorium
18:49 - Medical Building
22:16 - Cafeteria
25:40 - Church
29:30 - Restraint Chair

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