83 Comments Posted by anonymous

Hi! Just thought I'd chime in :)

I think Motts was on the right track about the power system being connected throughout the buildings. My father is an engineer and frequently works for psychiatric centers throughout New York State (his biggest job thus far was at Pilgrim, I believe--he designed their power plant). Several years ago, although he doesn't exactly remember when, my dad did some work for Letchworth Village, or at least the buildings that were still operational at the time. He mentioned having to go through the abandoned buildings to look at the plumbing and electrical systems, because apparently they're still connected to the rest of the campus. I would imagine that's why the light was on here.

This was several years ago, though, and even my dad doesn't remember the specifics of the job, so please don't hold me to that. I hope I was able to help at all :)

I'm new to the site, and after weeks of browsing through Motts' awesome galleries, I finally understand the meaning of the soap dispenser joke! All of those comments seem infinitely funnier now! :D

PS-- I probably would've thought it was a light too, Motts :)

I've explored Kings Park several times, although yesterday I made a special trip to the campus after seeing these pictures. I was determined to find and photograph this adorable little trike. Unfortunately, when I found the playground the trike was gone :( Thanks for posting these pictures, though, Motts! At least I saw the trike indirectly!

this is completely gone now...some dumb kids set this room on fire and other people stole the pieces of the fireplace

fun fact, the material of the side of the stairs that looks like marble as well, is just thick wooden panels painted to look that way. got a tour today

This picture makes me want to stand under the sky where this building once stood and imagine it around me, the clank of machinery and the echoing voices crashing like thunder. For a few seconds I'd feel these people's lives and become the ghost instead.

And when I open my eyes again, all that'll be left is the gentle rustling of the grass.

It is astounding how one piece of land can go through so many changes in so few years.

i know this might sound sorta weird,but i'm 9.my dad told me about this place.i'm way too young to go exploring here, but once my family drove past the enchanted forest.one time,my family was up in bedford(yes,it's near gravity hill!),and we stopped at a place and it had a small wooded area but it was closed off.it had the 7 dwarfs mine,a huge pumpkin,etc. two words for everywhere on this site:LEAD PAINT.

People who say stupid things and make comments about this place do not realize what went on behind closed doors. You are sick and disgusting people if you can look at these photos and laugh or think this place is "sweet" Take it from someone who knows a survivor of Pennhurst who can live to tell you the horror they went through. It is far from sweet. In no way should any person be treated the way these individuals were, and there is no excuse what so ever for our society to justify the living hell these people went through!

So before you go and talk your smart comments and make your jokes read the stories, do the research and put yourself in their shoes. Not so funny anymore is it???

Yet another perfect hallway shot.

That playground is part of a building owned by Cardinal Hayes Home for Children. It was once a nursery school, then part of the Cardinal Hayes School, and now belongs to the work program for Cardinal Hayes. The college is interesting to look at while we work, and it's impossible to go in there now to explore because some kids were caught trying to set it on fire. Now we see patrol cars there constantly.

danzamiami, please research before you make accusations such as this. that is a severe and extreme statement, and it is not true. or at least not wholly true. i have done extensive unbiased reseach on the history of pennhurst and have concluded that the nurses were doing the best they could with the situation presented. their dedication and love for the residents was evident. yes, their was abuse. but it was because of how many residents there were to how few nurses and staff. the most accurate ratio ive obtained was 48 residents to 3 staff. now imagine trying to teach, love, and form relationships with 48 residents that had severe disabilities. this is unreasonable and an unobtainable goal. it was a matter of controlling the residents and trying to prevent injuries/ harm. oftentimes when a resident became violent, muffs were necessary, to prevent them from hurting themselves, the nurses and the other clients on the ward. please understand that the nurses and staff were dealing with something that the public refused to acknowledge was there. who are we to judge these courageous, dedicated people?

Such a sad place with such a sad history.
This was a diaster from begining to end.
Too bad for the souls who are still trapped there.

It's not the volts that "light you up" it's the amps.

Yey, Silent Hill 3 Reference!

I thought I saw an arm in the right window -- creepy!