The Grim Foundations of the New York Morgue

The establishment of the New York morgue in the late 19th century arose from a pressing need due to significant population growth and inadequate facilities for managing deceased individuals. The previous morgue functioned as a grim shed, leading to appalling conditions reported by the public, characterized by decomposing remains and open coffins. Additionally, the context of the American Civil War's aftermath provided a society newly familiar with death, complicating the landscape further. Inspired by the Paris morgue established in 1804, the New York morgue's design was directly adapted from its French counterpart, spearheaded by John Bigelow, the U.S. minister to France. Located at Bellevue Hospital, the morgue's structure was modified to suit New York's distinct urban environment and logistical needs, allowing for easier transport of bodies for mass burial. The morgue was a low facility, with an unsettling atmosphere marked by pervasive dampness and foul odors, particularly in the summer months. Public access included a display room, allowing visitors to observe the deceased, whose clothing was hung on hooks behind the bodies. Notably, a 'wall of the unknown dead' featured photographs of unclaimed bodies, establishing an early intersection of mortality and photography in urban America.