The asylum scenes were filmed at a historical school in Ontario, Canada called Rockwood Academy. But it actually has a much happier history than our heroine did while living in that location.
Founded in 1850 by William Wetherald, an English Quaker, the building was first used as a boarding school were young men were given a thorough education for a cheap price. Boys who would never have been able to afford being taught Latin, math and grammar at other schools were now being given what was considered an education of high standards.
The building was originally built of logs, but was replaced with stone in 1853. In the 1860s, Donald McCaig and Alexander McMillan became the school’s new principals and they established new courses as well as a south wing. The school remained running until 1882 and was purchased in 1960 after it had become run down. Josef Drenters, the new owner, restored the building, as well as the barn and chapel on the property. He then agreed to hand over ownership of the property to the Ontario Heritage Foundation, as long as he and his family could continue living there.
The school also boasts some famous pupils, including Sir Adam Beck, a pioneer of hydroelectrics, A.S. Hardy, a former premier of Ontario, and James J. Hill, who built the Great Northern Railway and attributes his success in life to having been a student at Rockwood.
Besides A New Beginning, the film Agnes of God, which was made by Canadian director Norman Jewison and stars Anne Bancroft, Jane Fonda and Meg Tilly, was also filmed there.
Be sure to check back for our future blogs for behind-the-scenes details about Sullivan Entertainment’s other filming locations!
