# Event Details - **Event Name**: Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 14 Sep, 2026 at 02:00 pm – Mon, 14 Sep, 2026 at 03:30 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: A glimpse into life at Rainhill Hospital from 1851–1890s, exploring patient and staff stories, and Victorian attitudes to mental health.About this Event*Content warning - In this talk from author Susan Bennett, historical terminology relating to mental health is used. Please note that some of this language is now considered outdated and may be regarded as offensive. It has been retained to reflect the historical context of the records and the attitudes of the period in which they were created.*As part of Heritage Open Days 2026, St Helens Archive Service will be joined by author Susan Bennett for a talk on Rainhill Hospital in the 19th century.In the 19th century, it was widely accepted that conditions such as sleepwalking, epilepsy and changes in mental state were linked to the lunar cycle, giving rise to the term “lunatic,” derived from lunaticus (“of the moon”).Rainhill Hospital in Merseyside opened on 1 January 1851 as the Third Lancashire County Lunatic Asylum, responding to a growing number of people labelled as mentally ill. Expanded in 1861, it became a vast Victorian institution, though today only a few farm buildings remain. Susan Bennett's fascinating talk explores life within the asylum from its opening to the late 1890s, set against wider social changes including the Irish Potato Famine and increased migration through Liverpool from across the UK, Europe and beyond.Drawing on patient case records, it examines individuals’ lives before admission, their experiences of care, and their outcomes. Notably, the asylum followed a progressive principle for its time: the avoidance of physical restraint.Staff and administrative records reveal the scale of the institution, including the costs of food and daily care, while personal accounts, such as a doctor’s diary, offer vivid insights into daily life. Together, these sources highlight key Victorian social issues, including poverty, addiction, mental illness and the treatments used.The talk will begin at 2:00pm and run for 1 hour. There will then be a 30 minute Q&A with the speaker. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/st-helens/moonstruck-without-restraint-rainhill-hospital-in-the-19th-century/100001988560784838 - **Event Categories**: nonprofit, art, health-wellness, literary-art, mental-health, fine-arts - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: 18+ - Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes - Location: Chester Lane Library - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: St Helens - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Chester Lane Library - **lat**: 53.41908609999999 - **long**: -2.7246961 - **full address**: Chester Lane Library, Four Acre Lane, St Helens, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/cde646247cbda8aea1e6a467c5a7c8c2456f1a6ac36cc55ef940411cb24e38d7-rimg-w1200-h928-dce1e0d0-gmir.jpg?v=1777737782 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century being held? - **A:** Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century takes place on Mon, 14 Sep, 2026 at 02:00 pm to Mon, 14 Sep, 2026 at 03:30 pm at Chester Lane Library, Four Acre Lane, St Helens, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Is there an age restriction for Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century? - **A:** Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century is strictly for guests aged 18 and above. Valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry. Guests under 18 will not be admitted. The event will be presented in English. - **Q**: Who is organizing Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century? - **A:** Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century is organized by St Helens Borough Council Library Service. - **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at St Helens Borough Council Library Service's events? - **A:** Attendees have given St Helens Borough Council Library Service a rating of 5/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. St Helens Borough Council Library Service has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Moonstruck: Without Restraint - Rainhill Hospital in the 19th Century is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in St Helens, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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