290 Comments for Westborough State Hospital

Motts, that is indeed a cart for soiled linen, as bedding would be placed into it & maybe hospital gowns too. A bag would be dropped into the frame as you stated to collect it.

They built these institutions with lots of big windows to create a cheerful and spacious atmosphere, as many of the patients in these early hospitals were confined in dank basement cells. Fresh air was also considered vital to recovering. These theories were based on environmental determinism, where doctors believed that a person's surroundings caused their psychoses.

Yep the chute is an old heating duct, with the grille removed. They're kind of dangerous in a psychiatric hospital... I recall hearing about a young male patient who crawled in one at Danvers State Hospital and died.

Heh no jumping, that's a great way to fall through. I skitched around the edge, using the window frames for holds and stood on what was left of those joists, which were still in the wall pockets. Knowing a bit about structural framing and rock climbing helps a lot in these situations.

I'll try and make one - nah that's likely a cast iron pipe for roof drainage or sewage. The asbestos covered pipes were in here https://opacity.us/image11549_peeking_in.htm

Clearly the work of zombies, not sure how I missed that!

It could be, but for some reason I always thought it was a cart for laundry or mail, where a canvas bag would wrap around the edges.

Just one door, the screen was built into it. I would imagine it was for reinforcement, as the decorative panels on the doors are weak spots that could be kicked out.

Some of the hardwood floors in these places are incredible too, covered in linoleum for 60 years...

Juho - Thanks, yep it's a lot tougher to update this site with all the research and writing, but I'm still plugging away. Yes I visited Waverly but I was a bit late, it had already turned into a ghost hunting attraction tourist trap. I can't deal with that stuff so I explored something better... beautiful building though. Cool website, love those snowbound places!

flushed - Yes I was able to photograph most of the buildings at Fernald and have the State Boys Rebellion book. I found some pretty strange stuff left there - crime scene evidence, weird "observation" periscopes, and even a brain slice in the morgue. Just need some time to process everything. It wasn't a happy place for sure, and reminded me of some of the horror stories people have relayed about the Gaebler School, which was right across the street.

autoguy - Ha, yep pretty much!

alright! a new gallery, thanks mr motts

I just KNOW them pesky zombies are up to something underhanded there, yep!

Awesome as always, thnx for sharing! One more shoot from the archive, 200+ more to go some day maybe?

Insane is letting a building like this go to crap.

Many sanitoriums had a mix. Paying visitors got a relaxing luxury resort experience they would brag about to others. Doesn't sound too nice, but that's what helped pay for the PTs who had no money.