Comments

By the way pat, maybe you can help me. What purpose did the parlor room next to the Sitting Hall in the corner of the west wing have? Was this the library?

Seen* how did I do that typo....

Judging on past pictures I have scene, even the ones on this page with doors stacked ontop of eachother, and school desks in one room. It is quite clear to me that the place was stripped, I suspect that anything of remote value was taken, there is literally zero evidence of the original work. Sure you have some wood paneling here, and some wood paneling there... but almost nothing left. Such a waste! :(

As for "stealing" a piece of Halcyon, I'd of taken one of those doors with the circle thing on it lol.

@ caroline...

google 'the judge rotenburg center'

i work there

PR- U hit a home run -the video is KILLER and i thought a long time ago why wasn't the woodwork salvaged and when they left why was some furniture left

ran across a recent video of people exploring inside the Hall.
Andy's World Episode 4 Halcyon Hall Bennett Junior College

I enjoyed it for a bunch of reasons, figured others here might too.
The "cast'' are pretty endearing, and the jaunty soundtrack,
sharp editing, and sense of humor won me over.

It's the first I've seen of the interior in a LONG time. Most
shocking to me is how decent a shape SOME parts of
the building are STRUCTURALLY [a small percentage, for sure]
yet how almost ANY evidence of the luxurious FINISH of all the rooms has long vanished
throughout.

It astonishes me that the experience of exploring here no longer
includes the wondrous decorative adornments that were such a
celebrated feature of the Hall as it was concieved.
Hell, I thought even I was missing out by not having experienced
inside in later years. I can see from this video I'm not missing a damn thing! It is All Gone. All of it.

Frankly, most of the losses in that regard are from Vandalism. At one point a creditor who was owed from some contract from heck-knows
when by a long deceased former owner went in and did a number on
what little was barely left of the choice interior finish decoration.He would have been better off stealing it. I wish someone had.

The library /parlor double doors and mouldings were valued at
over $100 thousand dollars two decades ago. As is. It is hard for me to believe that they were not "removed" at some point in the mid 90's? I am speculating. The last time I saw them in the flesh was decades ago.
That portion of the building's floors are partially collapsed.

Most of the dozens of fireplaces, no two mantels alike, seem demo-ed
Woodwork, crown mouldings, balustrades,coffered ceilings,
leaded glass windows,seemingly all of the intricate parquet flooring,
everything vanished.

Andy's entertaining video makes it seem interesting as just an
abandoned maze like place. ALL of Halcyon's architectural interest
now lies upon it's weathered exterior. If anyone goes inside, pleeze
be careful! [And wear a Respirator!] ok

I live here

I live here. Now this hospital is an apartment called Avalon and i live here.

Is this State Hospital an Apartment called "Avalon at Lexington Hills" now???? Because I think I live here!

the hotel demolition started today, 07/25/2013.sorry to see it go, but it's seen it's better day, was a showplace back in the day . was privigled to have seen it a few times in thev 60's and 70's. they removed a few pieces of the facade stone work and it will be incorporated into whatever is decided upon in it's place. or preserved in another location later. rip sterling!!

How about publishing a book about the hotel ? Collect a bunch of interviews of people that worked there . Add some photos of when it was grand ! It would be a interesting book , and I'm sure thousands of people would buy it , and treasure it forever !!

I recently bought one of these along with a huge film collection. This was made to run 16mm sound film. I've heard they are work horses, but I haven't had the guts yet to plug mine in and try it. Also in trying to put a value on it, there are several on eBay and they all seem to be "non working or sold as is" and priced around the $300 mark. Don't know if any of them sold or how much a working one would fetch but they were supposed to be good pieces of machinery in their day.

This is beautiful!

Here I am! Gad, how did I miss this one? Beautiful old beast, I really want one of these things. The 16mm ones I have just don't cut it!

There is a strange beauty to this, yet it feels so sad at the same time... great work!