httpvh://youtu.be/Wk2CURa9SJA
Lachlan Park Hospital circa 1950-60.
This footage shows the Barracks from the rear enclosed yard which was demolished in the early 1960’s, H Ward and I Ward which were both female Wards, the old clock tower and accommodation rooms on the west side of the hospital including the old metal fold up bed which came from Port Arthur. Black & White silent footage.
12 Comments
Just found out my Dad was locked up here. Glad he is not around to know I found out. What a horrible dismal place it must have been to grow up in. He was not feeble minded either just a child with no-one and nothing.
The hospital touched many Tasmanian’s lives and still does today. It had a very mixed history, like Port Arthur did and that is now a great part of history. Do you have any more details for admission?
Cheers
Mark
My Aunt was put away in there when no one would look after her when they got older as she was retarded. Taken away from her home and her animals which she loved.
She must have been terrified. I have since learnt that she went missing from there and the river was dragged looking for her. Years later when they moved a building/shed they found her remains under it. Recognised by her transistor radio that she always carried.
I am doing the family tree and cannot find anything on her. No death notice and no name in any of the inmate lists. Can anybody assist with this as to where I can look.
Hi Kaye, I have tried to gain all the information about a number of people who went missing from the hospital and weren’t found until many years after or died due to the weather conditions in the area, so important and serious stories that need to be recorded in our history. I have heard the words, “the lost generation” for people of difference and gathering their history and remembering is so important to inform or policy makers in the care and support of people with difference. Thank you for sharing this story and I would be very interested in knowing more. Because of the time period the files would remain for family only. There is a link on this page which might help. https://willowcourttasmania.org/2017/09/12/linc-tasmania-search-family-history/
Cheers Mark Krause
Hi,
I believe my grandfather Richard John Adams was a patient of Lachlan Park. I think he may have died in the early 1940’s. He was a returned serviceman, had 7 children who were all fostered together in Launceston, when my mother’s mother died. My mum was the youngest of the 7 and her mum died when she was 1 year old.
My mum had a troubled upbringing and as per a previous reply here she was labelled feeble minded when really, by todays understanding she was a sad, lonely teen/young adult.
Any records you may have I would be interested to see
All records would be stored and available from archives tasmania. While we wish to have a place were records could be stored at the site the owner, the Derwent Valley Council, have given away the buildings.
Hi my grandmother edith mary mercy jones was at new town and was moved to lachland park in 1952. I believe she had senile dementia. I am seeking her death certificate and the exact diagnosis of her mental illnesd
Hi Beth,
best to go through Archives Tasmania for all Patient records.
Cheers
Mark
So glad to have found this page, and hope that it is still running. I’ve just requested to join the Facebook group, too.
I have been doing some family history research on a relative who died at Lachlan Park Hospital in 1956. Whilst I’ve been able to find her Last Will and Testament online, I have not been able to find any death notice of hers, nor been able to find out her final resting place. My family does not know why she was a patient at the hospital, but I am hoping to find out why she was admitted there. It may have been something as simple as dementia. I have just submitted an application for assessed disclosure with the DHHS in the hope that I will be able to find out a bit more about her, although I’m not sure if such records would exist.
We don’t even have a photograph of our relative, so it would be nice to at least know a little more about her so that we can complete the family tree a little more in depth.
I have tried Archives Tasmania also, and haven’t been able to find anything on her.
You are on the right track is seeking the patient records from the hospital, Good records were kept as a part of the Act. so you should have something to go by and some hints as to where she rests now. Good luck with your hunt. Some of the website would be of interest to you about that time there was some major building projects underway and changes in care practices.
Cheers Mark
Hi this site is probably closed but I’ve just found out my grandmother spent times at New Norfolk’s Mental Hospital & reading a prior comment this may be why I can not find info on her. Any advice?
https://www.willowcourttasmania.org/2017/09/12/linc-tasmania-search-family-history/