A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the First Annual Pennhurst Paracon with my paranormal team and one of our magazine staff. Yes, Pennhurst is one of the most revered haunted locations in America, but that isn’t the only reason you should visit: Pennhurst Asylum was opened in 1908 as a state school for the mentally and physically disabled. The property covered some 120 acres. It housed over 10,000 patients at one point in time and was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Pennsylvania. Pennhurst was in some ways a small town and essentially a self-sufficient community with it’s 1,400-acre site containing a firehouse, general store, barber shop, movie theater, etc. The buildings are named after towns in Pennsylvania such as Chester and Devon. Many of the buildings are linked by an underground tunnel system designed for transportation of handicapped patients to and from the dormitory, recreational buildings and dietary. Pennhurst was often accused of dehumanization while providing no help to the mentally challenged. A 1968 report by NBC called “Suffer the Little Children” spotlighted those issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG33HvIKOgQ
Closing in 1986 following several allegations of abuse that led to the first lawsuit of its kind in the United States, Pennhurst State School and Hospital vs. Halderman, which asserted that the mentally retarded have a constitutional right to living quarters and an education. Terry Lee Halderman had been a resident of the school, and upon release she filed suit in the district court on behalf of herself and all other residents of Pennhurst. After a 32-day trial and an immense investigation, prosecutors concluded that the conditions at Pennhurst were not only dangerous, with physical and mental abuse of its patients, but also inadequate for the care and habitation for the mentally retarded which The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also concluded the same. In 1986, it was ordered closed. Over the years Pennhurst fell into complete ruin as the complex was shut down. Buildings were abandoned as they were, with patient’s clothes and belonging strewn about. Furniture, cabinets and medical equipment were left to decay as if someone had just got up and walked out the front door…
Working in and around healthcare for most of my life, I fully understand the historical importance that Pennhurst with it’s former patients and workers served in creating some of the laws that are in place today. Over the years vandalism and decay have reeked havoc on the property. Pennhurst has been abused by the many – ghost hunters, urban explorers, those who are just curious over the years who trespassed while damaging the property, and time some irony there that a place closed for its abuse of people now needs help to keep people from abusing it. Which leads me back to the paracon, running my own event last few years I look at paracons very differently, as I believe they should be for the betterment of a property or charity not the wallet and this event was for a good cause – helping to save Pennhurst. It’s history should not be lost and the staff and volunteers that work there are amazing at helping keep those memories alive. They actively search out new stories, and people to further that goal.
The drive up to the property was like driving into a ghost town, so many buildings so quiet, but beautiful. Then when walking the dark empty halls to our space, it was surreal. I know the stories i’ve seen the NBC news video – I’ve heard the haunted history. Now i’m here, walking around wondering what was it really like then?
The event it self was a great mix of many from paranormal community and vendors from the area, as well as from Canada! The lectures were all well received with people standing outside the doors listening. Some of the names people may recognize who were in attendance are Chris Mancuso of SCARED!!!, Christopher DiCesare, & Katrina Weidman. So this event had a little bit for everyone, vendors, food, paranormal groups, and a history to be shared. Everyone I talked to was friendly and having a great time, because its not often in our travels that most of us can attend a location we always wanted to see. And much is to be seen at Pennhurst – too much for one day. Even while on the public ghost hunt later, roaming around it occurred to me that there will always be another turn, a room or a building not seen and explored. I really hope they do have this event next year, it’s what I love and want to see more from the paranormal community – we help people, now its time to help the properties and places as well… I’d like to thank Dave Juliano, Bob Christopher, & Tim Smith for the event and helping Pennhurst begin to rise from the ashes like a phoenix to regain something it lost ago – people walking the grounds.