Ep. 83: People of Greystone Park Psychiatric Center (Woody Guthrie) Artwork

Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

This podcast examines the history of now-defunct or abandoned psychiatric hospitals. Listen every week to learn about the history of mental health care and the true stories of the people who lived and worked behind the walls.

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Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Ep. 83: People of Greystone Park Psychiatric Center (Woody Guthrie)

February 17, 2025 • Dr. Sarah Gallup • Episode 83

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This week's episode examines the life, music, activism, and eventual hospitalization of folk singer Woody Guthrie. Find out how he got started in music and who influenced him along the way. Learn why he was eventually committed to Greystone Park Psychiatric Center for five years on "Wardy Forty."

My main sources for this episode include the book Woody Guthrie's Wardy Forty: Greystone Park State Hospital Revisited by Phillip Buehler, the Woody Guthrie website, and the Wikipedia page on Woody Guthrie. All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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