Sunbury Historical Tours

Discover what Institutional living was really like around the turn of the century for patients who had been incarcerated behind these walls one hundred years ago, find out the reasons why they were in here, the various roles medical staff had played, the processes involved with the admission of new patients, what happened with escapees and deaths, different medical treatments that were administered, the use of seclusion cells, padded cells, and other forms of restraints, and the eventual decommissioning of these buildings. These buildings really are quite beautiful architecturally, dating back to as early as 1864 to when it had first functioned as an Industrial School for Children, then in 1879 the children were boarded out, and the site was handed over to the Lunacy Department where it began operating as a Lunatic Asylum. In 1894 a women’s refractory compound was opened to accommodate refractory & difficult women who had been transferred out of the jail system. This is truly a ‘fascinating journey’ back through time as I walk you through the Admissions Office, Male Receiving Ward, Male Special Admissions Ward, Female Infirmary, Morgue and Women’s Refractory Prison. We will also explore various external buildings that include, Industrial School Hospital, Boiler House, Female Workers block, Staff Mess Rooms, New Hospital for the Insane, Kitchen, and Ha Ha Walls, as well as the institutional grounds, view 100 year old photographs of Patients on admission, original relics and various other displays. We hope to promote sympathy, compassion and a greater awareness for the ways in which we as a society, have treated and accepted those diagnosed with having Mental illness, and reflect on the advances that have since been made with the pioneering and introduction of more effective medications leading to better health results and the gradual discontinuation away from those less inhuman treatments of our past. Tours run for 120 mins (2 hours) in duration & operate on weekends only. Adults $30.00, Aged Pension $20.00, Child under 17years $15.00, Family 2 Adults & 3 Children $75.00, (Children under 5 years will be free of charge) Light refreshments will be offered at the end of each tour. Bookings are Essential and can be made by phoning Monday through to Friday between the hours of 9.00am – 3.00pm.