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This week's episode discusses the years that Dr. Fernald, Dr. Greene, and Dr. Farrell were superintendents at the school. Learn about the legacy of one of the superintendents and how he single-handedly influenced New York and Massachusetts law. Learn about one boy who entered the Fernald State School at age 8 and who quickly became part of a group called "The Science Club."

Trigger warnings for this episode include the use of outdated and ableist language, abuse toward children and dependent adults, and mention of eugenics.

My primary sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald State School website and the book The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D'Antonio. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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This week we discuss the first two decades of Dr. Walter E. Fernald's tenure at the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded. Find out how he was able to expand the school in order to quickly grow to over 1,000 residents! Learn about Dr. Fernald's role in the eugenics movement of the early 20th century and what scholars were trying to legalize in the state of Massachusetts.

My primary sources are the annual reports from the Fernald State School website. All other sources are listed at the end of the episode transcript.

Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast

Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast

Follow on Instagram: @behindthewallspod

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Send us a text

This week we discuss the many changes in the Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth, which included a name change, three locations, and three different superintendents. Find out what an average day looked like at the school, what the guidelines were for teaching children with developmental disabilities, and why they kept moving the school to new locations.

The primary sources for this episode are the annual reports available on the Fernald State School website.

Be sure to follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod

Support the show on Beacons: https://beacons.ai/behindthewallspodcast

Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/behindthewallspodcast

Support the show