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I lived in one of those rooms for 17 months back in 1978, those gouges in the door are from fingernails. There are also fingernail gouges around the concrete window an inch deep. I've seen pure insanity there I could never erase from my mind

I was in the class of 1973 at Pilgrim. We got the best education, better than degree schools. Our hands on training at Nassau hospital in Mineola, St Charles and other places gave us the best all round education. Dorm 69 was our home and it was like family.
I rode thru it with Colleen and Terry today ,12/2018, and was saddened by all the changes. I had never been back and now the place is flattened. The “nurses circle” still remains but there is a garage door through the front of dorm 69. Depressing but it is 38 years later.

I'm still here guys.Pat congrats on the launch of the book mate.Nothing else happening with the old girl I see?Wanderer how u doing?I also can see not too much activity here but am trying to stay posted in regards to the future of Bennett.Who owns it now and anymore info or dates of its Transformation to be something of remembrance of its former life.Everyone have a great Christmas and New Year ok.........

looks like everybody abandoned this board

Love the shadows. Great set; thank you.

@Luka: amazing story!! I did indeed scour every inch of this lost relic, and I did it by way of an inflatable Achilles dinghy with a small Mercury outboard... indeed, the draft around the island is 4" at best at high tide, but still enough to get a 32-foot Carver into the inlet side, where the drawbridge dropped. I'm saddened to hear that more of the structure has collapsed, but we will always have the historical photos both here, and in other collections, to commemorate this fine site! I'll also cherish those little trinkets I've collected there as well.
I doubt I'll ever be available as a "tour guide", as I keep migrating south; but I'm glad you've an appreciation of the place, and I sincerely hope that the new keepers of the park make it as accessible as I've found it in it's ruin. -godk

Hmm, interesting

This beautiful work just rotting away. I love looking at the pic's but always am sad to see them abandoned. I always wonder why people just let them go to ruin. I guess the $$ to use/sell them and upkeep costs. Even just regular houses.

Thanks. The higher resolution image.

We call it a sluice in our hospital. There would have been a flush valve at the back and / or a hot and cold taps. Used for emptying urinals and bedpans, rinsing heavily soiled laundry etc.

Ha, good to see you again!!

Thanks Patrick! The number of former Gaebler kids that comment here is incredible, and it could certainly become an interesting publication. I am currently wrapping up two volumes on other state institutions in MA, but will consider this once they're out for sure.

As far as I know, records from state institutions such as Gaebler are considered private medical records, and can only be accessed by family members.

Yup, they're Poseys, and definitely well-made!

Thank you sir!