66 Comments Posted by Scarlett77

Ah, if only the people who instituted HIPPA could see this photo...they'd probably develop some kind of nervous twitch. :-)

Although I doubt it is a place that was used by the Mason's (and I could be wrong, who knows??), I would not be suprised if perhaps the architect was a Mason.

Breathtaking room. Just beautiful.
As the daughter of a Master Mason, and having spent much of my youth in Job's Daughter's (Masonic organization for young women.) I have spent a lot of time in Masonic temples. I really don't see much that would indicate this was Masonic. And, if this room is on the first floor, then it most certainly NOT a Masonic meeting room. (All Masonic temples have their meeting rooms on the 2nd floor. The reasoning behind this dates back to the betrayal and fall of the Knights Templar's)
And Silkster, you are indeed right that the Star of David is not a Jewish symbol within the language of Freemasonry.
PS- " Oh Lord, My God, is there no help for the widow's son?" is given in conjunction with a hand gesture to indicate a Mason is in distress.

I am not a religious person, but looking at these Pennhurst photo's make me think of a Biblical passage...
"...and the meek shall inherit the Earth."
As "normal" (whatever the Hell that means) adults caring for societies most venerable souls, it was their duty and moral obligation to protect these residents from harm. It saddens me to my very core that some of those people chose to abuse and mis-treat children and adults who were so helpless and dis-advantaged.
I also believe everything eventually comes full circle. If the God I believe in truly exists, he has reserved a special place in Hell for abused their positions against those at Pennhurst.

This seems more than a bit out of place-especially in a Pennsylvania mental hospital.
I wonder what percentage of the patient population was blacK?? Or, did that even have anything to do with this mural?? Interesting.

I live in N.C., and work in an E.R. This photo reminds me of a story one of our ER Doc's told me about one of our state mental hospitals (Broughton) He said that in the early days of the hospital, patients would actually SLEEP in their simple pine coffins instead of bed's. And, when they died, you simply had to nail the lid on on and bury them. I suppose they thought it was not only cost effective, but convenient as well.
FYI- Your site is amazing!! Fascinating and wonderful photo's- Keep up the great work!!