What did London blue plaque Bethlehem Hospital do at 145/149 London Wall?

The Story

Standing at this stretch of London Wall, it's hard to imagine that for nearly 140 years, this was the site of one of London's most notorious institutions. The second Bethlehem Hospital, commonly known as 'Bedlam,' operated here from 1676 to 1815, housing hundreds of mental health patients in what was then a grand building designed by Robert Hooke, complete with imposing gates topped by the famous Bethlehem statues of 'Melancholy' and 'Raving Madness.' During the 18th century, this location became infamous as a tourist attraction where wealthy Londoners could pay a penny to observe the patients - a practice that reflected the era's disturbing attitude toward mental illness. This site represents a crucial chapter in psychiatric history, marking both the hospital's longest-standing location and the period when it transformed from a medieval religious institution into a dedicated psychiatric facility, though its practices would be considered inhumane by today's standards.