Mental illness was misunderstood and often feared by Victorian society. Families had to make difficult decisions about how to handle their loved ones’ struggles in an era where health issues were not discussed in public and treatment options were limited or experimental. Alexander Ramsey’s brother, Justus, and son-in-law, Charles, suffered from mental illness which impacted the entire family.

In this tour, hear excerpts from newspaper accounts and family letters and journals to discover how an influential family handled a very human reality.

This program is recommended for ages 18 and up.