Defectives, Epileptics: United States. Massachusetts. Palmer. State Hospital for Epileptics: Greenhouses and Hen Houses. 1905

Editor: This photograph, "Defectives, Epileptics: United States. Massachusetts. Palmer. State Hospital for Epileptics: Greenhouses and Hen Houses" by Woodhead Studio, shows people working the land. The title is striking, and the scene appears ordinary. What does this photograph reveal about the context of its creation? Curator: The title is indeed jarring, reflecting early 20th-century attitudes toward institutionalized individuals. These images often served dual purposes. While appearing to document the productivity of patients, they also reinforced societal biases and the perceived need for segregation. The photograph’s function was as much about social control as it was about representation. Editor: So, the act of photographing becomes part of the institution's power? Curator: Precisely. Photography can be a tool for reinforcing power structures. The seemingly neutral image participates in a broader narrative about who belongs and who doesn't. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. It's important to remember the social role imagery plays.