OSH Musuem of Mental Health

"Thought provoking and fascinating. The exhibits are so informative and well-designed, and the staff are super helpful. We were concerned that the content would be too triggering, but instead we found it to be well curated and carefully presented."

"Amazing experience in the museum. The staff are retired medical professionals in the mental health field but very knowledgeable about the history of the museum. Military, veteran and senior discount available. Well worth the trip and time. I highly recommend this location."

"Haunting, informative and so so necessary. The museum is PACKED with history, and though the museum isn’t massive, you could easily lose a couple hours combing through all the exhibit displays and information. The staff and docents are great. There are stairs up to the main entrance (I did not see a ramp, unless I just missed it), but the stairs are much less than one flight and quite minimal. The memorial, however, is quite a ways away from the actual museum, with a bit of an incline in-between. Those with mobility issues would be smart to perhaps get dropped off and forego the walk over (though it is a ramp and not stairs all the way down). If you visit the museum, you MUST visit the memorial with all the names and copper canisters. I am happy a place to remember all those who have passed (along with the empty canister to represent those not individually named on the wall) was built. It is a powerful experience to visit and see - both the museum and memorial down the hill. It’s painful to see how slow progress “progresses”… but it does. And though some of the information is very difficult to consume, I dare to say I still left with the aftertaste of hope. Informing our current world with a deeper understanding of our history is so very important. Definitely recommend."

"Having started my working life in mental health it was fascinating today to visit this museum housed in the original hospital for "insane, idiots and indigent people. It was a model for humane treatment of the mentally ill and was considered a leader in the USA for treating mentally ill people compassionately. It had 3,500 patients as it grew. I am staying with friends in a new community built on the site of a second facility housing the feeble minded, transferred from the main facility. It closed with the devolution of this population to group homes last century but some of the buildings remain. The current hospital houses 500 mainly forensic patients sentenced or waiting to be assessed fot to stand trial It was a serendipitous occasion and reminded me of much in my early career. Oh almost forgot to mention this was the location where One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest was filmed and included staff and patients in the movie."

"Went in today to see what changes and progression they have gained by making the historical, still standing part of the building a museum. Was very informative about mental health care and how far it has come in the last 100+ years. I was hoping they had more information on the museum building its self and the history it has been subjected to through the years but, since only the front bottom nodule its limited. More information on this specific museums history would be great. $7 a pop for adults... Students are less. Dont forget to go see the memorial they situated for the forgotten urns that where discovered concreted into a "room". They also left a lot out about the untold history of the building and "not so good" events. Overall.... Great host (thank you Bob), very informative about mental health history. Great displays, time line is nice, straight jacket was fantastic and the grounds are nice. Good for kids (that do not touch)!"