Deinstitutionalized – Pictures of Abandoned Asylums by Justin Earsing

• By: Stephanie Kay-Kok

Justin Earsing finds his photography subjects in curious and sometimes spooky places–abandoned insane asylums. Ever since he was a kid, he’s been fascinated by the history of asylums, particularly how their role in American culture has changed. In addition to photographing old asylums, he visits abandoned training schools and sanatoriums. He keeps returning to these decaying buildings because of their silent energy, he explains, as well as his “curiosity about the mysterious lives of their former inhabitants.” Most of his photos show simple scenes, like dusty hallways and symmetrical doorways, but he also occasionally discovers spine-chilling remnants of former medical procedures, such as surgery lights, empty wheelchairs, and a metal morgue table.

To see more of Justin’s photography, visit his website, tumblr or facebook page.

Administration, State Lunatic Asylum

Female Ward, State Lunatic Asylum

Patient Ward, State Hospital for the Criminally Insane

Medical Ward, State Inebriate Asylum

Autopsy Room/Morgue, State Asylum

Theater, State Hospital for the Criminally Insane

Patient Porch, State Tuberculosis Sanatorium

Dorm, State Lunatic Asylum

Operating Room, State Lunatic Asylum

Ward, State Hospital for the Insane

Northampton Lunatic Asylum

Day Room, State Sanatorium

Patient restroom, State Hospital for Inebriates and Dipsomaniacs

Observation Booth/Patient Ward, State Sanatorium

Patient Ward, State Sanatorium

State Hospital for the Insane, used in the movie ‘Shutter Island’

• Category: Photographers, Top Posts
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