Comments

My first thought seeing the pic is that they were raising birds as one of the therapy programs. Nice craftsmanship and probably built by residents.

Agreed, beautiful wooden door. I wonder what the niche next to it was originally for?

Based on the painted brick, it looks like that nice arch had gotten covered by a lowered ceiling that has long since gone. Love the new gallery!

That box on the left with the tubes is a big pad mount step down transformer used to take primary voltage and step it down to lower voltages.

The black was for blackout. There was no on/off switch with arc spots because you had to adjust the arc every time it was turned back on, so you had a blackout or solid disc to shut off the light when it was not needed during a performance.

Thanks Iceberg, that's so nice to hear!

No, it's just a screen that allows for communication through the door; the other side can be seen in the next photo. Devices like this helped prevent the attendant from getting poked in the eye, spat upon, etc.

As this theater building was constructed in 1932, I imagine those grilles were most likely decorative covers for a speaker system. I don't recall finding any rooms back there.

@Pookie, former patient: was the all girl Catholic school in Marlboro, Mass? I was there til 1979 or 80. Graduated from there.

Was anyone there in 1977-78? Believe it or not, the movie, Glass, brought back some memories of being there! My heart was racing so fast! Really never mentioned my being there to anyone...til tonight!

How will I know if anyone responds?

Motts,
I managed to contact the author of State Boys... and asked him if he would be interested in my story. Turns out he was contracted to do that book and he deosn't really just do books by just taking up someones story.
Seems shocking to me now that I was able to correspond with him directly.

I think this is my favorite. The light and the color is very peaceful to me.

Those decorative grills flanking the stage should have rooms behind them for housing a pipe organ. I wonder if one might have been considered when they built the place? Being that it was designed as a multi-purpose hall it could very well have been used as a house of worship when needed.

I lived and grew up there, where my father was a doctor. He met my mother who was a nursing student at Henryton. I have many fond memories of my like there, in the woods.

MOTHER . FATHER - is perfectly precious picture with the snow - no names no dates no - just MOTHER . FATHER for any mother&father;