Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Building the Retreat: the first 60 years (1794-1854) 

Dr Victoria Hopgood

The Retreat, the Quaker asylum situated on the outskirts of York, has from its opening in 1796 always attracted considerable attention, not least as a model of an institution practicing a more humane method of treatment. As such it is recognised as a pioneer of what was to become known as the ‘moral treatment’ of the insane thus establishing its position in medical history.

Until very recently the physical buildings which housed the patients, and sequence of development of the site, have gained little attention. And, as such it is tempting to accept that what is visible today is the product of a single vision of the founders and built in a single phase of construction to meet the needs of the founders.  However, this is not the case.

This talk will take us on a necessarily brief overview of the first sixty years of buildings development at the Retreat, from the original house as built in 1794-6, through to the extensive rebuilding of the east and west wings in the 1850’s as a response to increase in demand for space.

Please note that the history of mental health treatment will not be addressed in this talk and does not include a tour of the hospital.   Recreation Hall at the Retreat doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm – please do not arrive before this time.

This is a free talk, but ALL tickets must be pre-booked at:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/yorkshire-philosophical-society

Please note we recommend using public transport as the U2 university bus stops outside the venue and there is very little parking.  Please do not park in surrounding streets.

Image © Victoria Hopgood