Recreation and Occupation

Material relating staff and patient recreational activity, amusements and therapeutic occupations comprising, Hospital Magazines and Patient Writings, 1844-1993; Theatricals, Concerts and Entertainment, 1843-1980; Art, 1846-2000; Sports, 1928-1984; and Crichton Royal Club, 1930-1950.

1842-2000

5 linear metres

Dr W. A. F. Browne instituted a programme of amusement and occupation for patients as part of their treatment at Crichton Royal Institution. He encouraged patients to engage in occupations such as sewing, knitting, painting, reading, writing, domestic work, farm work and gardening. A patient's library was set up in 1839, the first theatrical production staged by patients and staff was performed in 1843 and a hospital magazine, which patients contributed to and helped to produce, was established in 1844. As well as theatrical productions, concerts, dances, visiting entertainment artists and companies, tableaux vivant performances and lectures were held regularly. Dr W. A. F. Browne took a special interest in the artwork produced by patients, collecting a large number of works and art therapy was also promoted in more recent years with the employment of artists in residence at Crichton Royal. Sports were also a significant part of life at Crichton Royal Institution with a large number of sports including, tennis, cricket, bowling, croquet, golf, curling and football available to staff and patients. Various clubs were formed including the Crichton Royal Musical and Dramatic Company, the Literary and Debating Club and Card Club. These clubs, along with the many sports clubs were brought together in 1930 under the organisational control of the Crichton Royal Club which coordinated their activities.

The largest collection of material relating to the recreational activities of staff and patients is found in C. R. I. Scrapbook, DGH1/6/17/1 and Recreation and Printing Scrapbook, DGH1/6/17/2.

Enquiries for reproduction for commercial purposes should be directed to the Archivist, Dumfries and Galloway Archives and Local Studies

The papers are available at Dumfries and Galloway Archives subject to conditions of UK Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and NHS Records Management Code of Practice 2012. Subject to these restrictions, this material is being digitised by the University of Glasgow as part of a Wellcome Trust funded project. Material that is digitised will be accessed freely online through the Wellcome Library catalogue.