On Saturday I got to begin to explore an abandoned institution I’ve been itching to check out. Pennhurst State School was shut down in 1986 after a class action suit by parents of patients/students there. There is a lot of history and a lot of conflicting accounts of what happened there, but the fact that it became overcrowded remains. And overcrowding can lead to neglect. I’ll let you read the information and draw your own conclusions. This site is incredibly thorough!
It was an incredible afternoon. A Flickr friend of mine, Christy, took the train up from Delaware and we spent three hours exploring. It was exhausting physically, but also psychologically, and we really hadn’t fully prepared ourselves for that emotional impact. We are already organizing another trip there, this time an all day event and better preparation now that we know what is there. We only scratched the surface on Saturday, managing just three buildings on the 1,400- acre campus. There are probably 20 buildings to investigate, at least!
I am working on a set of photos on Flickr, and here is one story from the trip to go with this photo.
There is a large network of tunnels that run underneath Pennhurst, connecting most of the buildings on the campus. Within 20 minutes of arriving, Christy and I ran into two other photographers (who turned out to be on Flickr also and I'm waiting for them to come find me). They had been there once before, but expressed no interest in the tunnels when I asked if we could all go in together (figuring more=better). So Christy and I went to the basement to check it out with the flashlights she'd brought. The dripping water echoed. I shone my light down the tunnel entrance and immediately saw this wheelchair.
No fucking way, I said. I'm not going in there.
We went back upstairs and saw the two photogs again. I said it was too scary, but that they should go have a look. The guy (Chris, I think) went running down and his friend came up behind us as we followed. I suggested again that if we all went together it wouldn't be as scary, and I think Chris had a male moment and needed to lead the charge. ;-)
We passed this and I forced myself to document it even though it meant standing still in there for a second. This chair was halfway between the entrances. We also passed several other tunnels. I'm glad I got the photo. I would go in again if I was with more than 3 others and we had lanterns instead of flashlights. LOL.
Oh, and that thing behind the door? A big clunker of a typewriter (some of you younguns may have never seen one) that appears to be covered in blood, but we're pretty sure it is paint.
:-)
P.S. 5 Weeks no smoking today! Forgot to post my video last week, but it is on Flickr. Will be doing a video update at some point today on Flickr as well. Yay me!
Uh...WAYYY creepy. Great picture - you're much braver than me, I would have been completely freaked out I'm sure!
Posted by: Heather | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Wow, Sarah. That looks pretty scary. I don't know if I could handle the emotional aspect, as well as I am a scardey-cat ;-)
Congrats on 5 weeks of no smoking! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
xoxo
Posted by: Tara | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Brilliant job, lady. :)
And big congrats on 5 weeks. xx
Posted by: Christy Marie | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 01:58 PM
"Byberry" is another one, and "The Institute" - linked to PA hospital. "Kirkbride" is a good key word to look up as well, if you want to research it all.
Those sorts of places are indeed... haunted.
I know.
I was locked in one back in '86 - '87.
I thank you for daring to "go there".
Posted by: Jon | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Congrats on the 5 weeks!! I knew you could do it!!
I can't believe that you guys went to those instuitions. I don't think I could handle all of the negative emotions that would still be floating around in that place(because you know that kind of energy just doesn't leave on it's own.) Very cool pictures though. Do you ever watch "GhostHunters"? They go to these old places like this quite a bit.
Posted by: Heather E | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Very cool! There was a place like that in Japan when I was living there that'd be abandoned for about 15-20 years... we spent way too much time there :) It's fun being scared when you know it's completely illogical.
Posted by: ben | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Spooooooky. Great photo. I love old typewriters. It reminds me of the days long gone. I learned how to type on an IBM Selectric II tank in high school. So glad I did, too. I knew I'd be writing tons of papers for college and ultimately for my writing. Now kids are born with a keyboard in their hands.
Posted by: Karl | Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Quite an arresting photo! You've got such a gift, I always enjoy seeing your work.
Posted by: Jesse | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Wow ... that sounds like it was an intense experience! That photo sent shivers up my back.
Posted by: red lotus mama | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Highly creepy. Reminds me of those gory movies Hostel and Saw. Or at least the promos for them, because I don't have the guts to actually watch the movies.
You have way more guts than I do!
Posted by: Celeste | Friday, May 23, 2008 at 12:18 PM