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This week's episode examines the final decades of the Fernald State School. Find out about the pivotal moment in Ward 22 that forever changed the school. Learn about the fate of the Science Club members. And discover how the "research" of the past was unearthed.

Main sources for this episode include the annual reports from the Fernald School, as well as 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'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Trigger warnings for this episode include the use of outdated and ableist language, abuse toward children and dependent adults, and mention of eugenics.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.

Follow the show on Instagram: @behindthewallspod

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

Support the show