Glore Psychiatric Museum — Attraction in Saint Joseph

5 in 1 museum...total score for $7 pp (actually pd just $8/2 with a Groupon 🤗). We did the all in 3.5 hrs. 4 floors total (elevator available), plenty of room for kids/strollers, several bathrooms avail, great gift shop w/ several unique offerings, not busy AT all, & also wanted to mention the sign said RV parking avail. Be sure to ask at the desk to see the connecting tunnels (the echoes would be great fun for kiddos and you can walk down a ways while imagining the noise of them when it was a working hospital). This place housed some serious sadness ...even children whose parents had taken them in for lobotomies 😳. Definite sad energy felt here in many different areas, but nothing scary so don't avoid it because you're fearful. We learned about all sorts of different torture & "cures" dating waaay back to Mayan times (many displays with cells/tanks for dunking, hanging chairs, spinning wheels). Lobotomy procedures are well laid out with the instruments and procedures clearly explained. Did you know that they came about due to one young mans wicked head injury & his changed demeanor afterwards (see pic of boy with droopy eye)?! You can sit in the rocking chairs that the patients rocked in (the incontinent patients had holes drilled in theirs so they'd drain)...& even perform an autopsy in the morgue (have to pretend a bit since tools/lab coats aren't out due to the Roner..but there are more interactive displays for kids/adults tucked around). Also of interest is that the hospital worked the patients (therapy and absolutely no budget for anything)? They had their own farm, dairy cows, gardens, sewing room, laundry, rug-making, etc. The Indian Museum houses a great collection of arrowheads/stone tools (open the drawers to see more), beautiful moccasins!, great baskets, clothing, & look for the turtle umbilical case...something I've never seen before! A very small doll museum room houses a few interesting tidbits. The War hall takes into consideration the local troops with a few stories of those who made it home, interesting displays on rationing and how much you were allowed, draft card sheets, & a room that made you feel like you were sitting in the wet dank trenches (look for the hat with the bullet holes...wonder who was wearing that one?!). There is great info in the Black Archives...did you know that local slaves only had to make it a short distance to KS or IA to be free?! Anyways....novel now read....ENJOY...

I have visited the Glore Museum several times and always enjoyed my visits; all the stellar reviews of the museum are absolutely correct. This time, however, I want to give special thanks to the staff during my last visit with my siblings.

We had really been looking forward to touring the Glore; my brother and sister had never been there and were visiting from out of state. So you can imagine my distress when, just as I was turning in to the parking lot, I discovered that my car had a flat tire! We went to the front desk of the museum, and Max and Heather were very understanding regarding our situation. They allowed me to stay in the lobby of the building (since it was raining) while my siblings started their tour. I called AAA, then had to wait for a call from the roadside assistance technician, and then had to call the local tire store to arrange a time to bring my car in to have the tire repaired! I’m sure it wasn’t optimal to have all that activity occurring at the entrance to the museum, but they remained calm and considerate and very helpful (especially in providing information like the exact address of the museum). Thankfully, I did have time to tour the museum as well, and my siblings and I ended up having a delightful visit. Max was very solicitous and asked about my car as we were leaving (the technician had changed out my flat tire for the spare), and seemed genuinely glad to hear the good news that I’d be able to have the tire repaired.

This was also the first time I’d visited the museum with pets, as my siblings were traveling with their dogs. We were delighted to discover that the Glore Museum does permit well-behaved dogs on leashes in the museum! It was a relief to be able to take our time wandering through the exhibits, without someone having to watch the pets outside.

The museum is such a unique place, with such wonderful exhibits, that I look forward to every visit and love taking out-of-town guests there. It was wonderful to be treated with such kindness and understanding when I had my tire mishap. It was just one more example of why the Glore Museum is the BEST museum...

Wow, what an incredibly moving and eye-opening experience! I recently visited the Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, and I'm still processing the powerful journey through mental health history that this unique institution provides.

From the moment you step inside, you can feel the weight of the stories these walls hold. The museum, housed in what was once the St. Joseph State Hospital, doesn't just display artifacts – it tells deeply human stories that really touch your heart.

What really grabbed me:

The patient artwork collection is absolutely haunting and beautiful. Each piece tells a personal story that really makes you pause and reflect. There's this incredible full-sized replica of a treatment room that honestly gave me chills. It really brings home how far we've come in mental health care. The staff here are amazing! They share their knowledge with such compassion and respect for the subject matter.

Personal highlights:

I spent a good hour just examining the intricate patient-created art pieces. There's this one particular piece made from thousands of cigarette packages that just blew my mind! The interactive displays really help you understand the evolution of psychiatric care - though I'll admit, some of the historical treatment methods made my stomach turn. The building itself has such a powerful presence. Walking through these halls, you can't help but think about all the lives that passed through here.

A few things to keep in mind:

Take your time - there's a lot to process emotionally Some exhibits are pretty intense - I had to take a few breaks The guides are super knowledgeable - don't hesitate to ask questions Bring a friend - it's the kind of place you'll want to discuss...