Swanley History Group – June 2022 meeting
Now we have ‘care in the community’ for the support of the majority of sufferers of mental health and mental handicaps. Then there were majestic or foreboding edifices called Asylums. One such was Stone House, The City of London Pauper Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1861 and was enlarged in 1902. At our June meeting we were delighted to welcome back researcher and author Francine Payne who provided an insightful and informative presentation about this institution.
In the 1860’s laws affecting the poor and sick were changing. ‘Lunatics, imbeciles and idiots’ (as they were called at that time) were moved from workhouse infirmaries to purpose built self-sufficient asylums. The wealth of The City of London enabled the purchase of land by The Thames in Dartford for this purpose with The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of The City of London as members of the management committee. The first Medical Superintendant, Dr. Jepson, resided on site in Hill House and matron and other staff were also provided with accommodation.
Plans and photographs show buildings in the Victorian gothic style with a bell tower, castellated turrets rising above steeply pitched roofs and dressed stone surrounding the large windows and doors. No expense was spared on the interiors either with tiled floors delineating different areas to aid the patients. The dining room, also used for entertainment and recreational activities, was very grand with gold leaf decorations and a minstrel’s gallery – though this proved problematic as patients often jumped off it. The chapel had a beautiful carved wooden ceiling, stained glass windows and a steam- powered organ. All rooms were bright and airy. Ariel views show the extensive grounds where less afflicted patients were able to use footpaths for exercise. Enclosed ‘airing courts’ were provided for patients requiring more secure arrangements.
Males and females were kept separate up to 1970. From 1880 private patients were admitted, living in large houses in the grounds. There are rumours that members of the Royal family lived at Stone House and delivery vans from Harrods were regularly seen. All patients were identified with an X in censuses to protect their identity. Medication was not available until 1900’s so keeping patients busy and occupied was seen as beneficial. The farms and workshops for mattress making, tailoring and book binding and food preparation activities such as butchery and bakery provided paid work for some patients. They were also provided with entertainment in the form of concerts, and Stone House was the first hospital in England to have a cinema.
Restraints such as cells padded with canvas, leather gloves, and cotton shirts with ties and blankets soaked with cold water were used, under strict controls. Improvements in patient care were evident after Medical Superintendent Dr. Steen devised a mental health nurse training scheme with qualifications. Experimental treatments, such as electric shock, light therapies and insulin induced coma were introduced in the 1930’s. Tuberculosis was common and treatment included sleeping outside under verandas, even in winter.
During WW1 Stone House had a female fire team, as shown in a Pathe News film ‘Fire-fighters. Dartford’. In WW2 air raid shelters under the front lawns were provided for staff and patients.
In 1948 Stone House was transferred to the National Health Service. It closed in 2005, though a secure unit called Littlebrook continues to provide treatment for severely ill patients whose time in secure prisons, such as Broadmoor, has expired. The main buildings have been converted into private apartments and some small businesses.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
Now we have ‘care in the community’ for the support of the majority of sufferers of mental health and mental handicaps. Then there were majestic or foreboding edifices called Asylums. One such was Stone House, The City of London Pauper Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1861 and was enlarged in 1902. At our June meeting we were delighted to welcome back researcher and author Francine Payne who provided an insightful and informative presentation about this institution.
In the 1860’s laws affecting the poor and sick were changing. ‘Lunatics, imbeciles and idiots’ (as they were called at that time) were moved from workhouse infirmaries to purpose built self-sufficient asylums. The wealth of The City of London enabled the purchase of land by The Thames in Dartford for this purpose with The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of The City of London as members of the management committee. The first Medical Superintendant, Dr. Jepson, resided on site in Hill House and matron and other staff were also provided with accommodation.
Plans and photographs show buildings in the Victorian gothic style with a bell tower, castellated turrets rising above steeply pitched roofs and dressed stone surrounding the large windows and doors. No expense was spared on the interiors either with tiled floors delineating different areas to aid the patients. The dining room, also used for entertainment and recreational activities, was very grand with gold leaf decorations and a minstrel’s gallery – though this proved problematic as patients often jumped off it. The chapel had a beautiful carved wooden ceiling, stained glass windows and a steam- powered organ. All rooms were bright and airy. Ariel views show the extensive grounds where less afflicted patients were able to use footpaths for exercise. Enclosed ‘airing courts’ were provided for patients requiring more secure arrangements.
Males and females were kept separate up to 1970. From 1880 private patients were admitted, living in large houses in the grounds. There are rumours that members of the Royal family lived at Stone House and delivery vans from Harrods were regularly seen. All patients were identified with an X in censuses to protect their identity. Medication was not available until 1900’s so keeping patients busy and occupied was seen as beneficial. The farms and workshops for mattress making, tailoring and book binding and food preparation activities such as butchery and bakery provided paid work for some patients. They were also provided with entertainment in the form of concerts, and Stone House was the first hospital in England to have a cinema.
Restraints such as cells padded with canvas, leather gloves, and cotton shirts with ties and blankets soaked with cold water were used, under strict controls. Improvements in patient care were evident after Medical Superintendent Dr. Steen devised a mental health nurse training scheme with qualifications. Experimental treatments, such as electric shock, light therapies and insulin induced coma were introduced in the 1930’s. Tuberculosis was common and treatment included sleeping outside under verandas, even in winter.
During WW1 Stone House had a female fire team, as shown in a Pathe News film ‘Fire-fighters. Dartford’. In WW2 air raid shelters under the front lawns were provided for staff and patients.
In 1948 Stone House was transferred to the National Health Service. It closed in 2005, though a secure unit called Littlebrook continues to provide treatment for severely ill patients whose time in secure prisons, such as Broadmoor, has expired. The main buildings have been converted into private apartments and some small businesses.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser