Mind Museums offer a fresh perspective on the heritage of mental health,

bringing museums into sharp focus. Drawing on interdisciplinary approaches

from architecture, museum and exhibition design, and heritage and museum

studies, it examines former psychiatric asylums that have been converted into

museums.

The book presents a comprehensive investigation of mind museums, the

first of its kind in Europe, and explores their potential in raising awareness

and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health. Through an indepth

examination of selected European examples, Lanz describes what

mind museums are and how they came to be. The innovative visitor studies

carried out at the Museo di Storia della Psichiatria in Reggio Emilia, which

are presented here, explore people’s encounters with mind museums and

reveal the profound impact of such experiences. By uncovering the power of

these heritage sites in facilitating discussions on mental health, civility, and

care, Lanz provides new insights into the emotive capacity of the museum

and visitors’ reflexivity at place-based memory sites.

Mind Museums will be of great interest to scholars and postgraduatelevel

students engaged in the study of museums, heritage, exhibition

design, architecture, and mental health. It should also be of interest to

heritage professionals, particularly those working in mind museums and

other similar sites, such as prison museums and sites of conscience.

Book Information
ISBN 9781032193984
Author Francesca Lanz
Format Hardback
Page Count 168
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd