2 Comments Posted by Gen

Thank you for exploring this place! I see it every day on my way into the city and often thought it would be a great place to explore.

i lived in belchertown when i was growing up and i went to after-kindergarten club in a building on the grounds of BSS. as someone else noted it's perfectly legal and not discouraged to walk around the grounds: few of the buildings are even fenced in, though they're all boarded up. when i was a kid i remember we used to go for walks around the grounds. i think it had been closed for no more than five years then. i remember going up to one of the buildings and looking in the window and it was as if everything was frozen: all the posters were still hanging up, drawings, people's names, and there was a wheelchair just sitting in the middle of the floor, as if someone had gotten up and left. i'll never forget that!
i went back today with my friend and we walked around totally undisturbed for about a half hour. people walk their dogs and stroll around there all the time. almost all the buildings are still standing and the ones closest to the road - the theater one, the one with the clock tower, and a few others - are in great condition; the ones nearer the back are really vandalized but still really pretty, especially in the springtime.
i don't believe the town of belchertown has the money or motivation at this juncture to tear down BSS. but we'll see.