4,537 Comments for Pennhurst State School

The sense of depth in this photograph is truly wonderful. The wheelchair, columns, and debris gives it a great sense of perspective. Absolutely wonderful photograph, Motts!

I have looked at this photo for a second time and I have a feeling of harsh reality that pours over me.

I feel very un - comfortable too.

Signed: An American Soldier stationed in Germany.

first of all, motts, all of your photos are amazing.

it strikes me how the pillow is in such better shape than the bed.

holy shit

girl,

When are you going again? Email me at: redingwarrior@aol.com

That looks amazing. I want to go to it.

these pictures are absolutely amazing! I just happen to come across this site by accident and I must say I'm intrigued. I've always had a fascination with abandoned buildings and the ones I have seen on abandoned asylums is too good to be true. I have tons of questions about this place if someone could email me. I live in Va., not anywhere near Pennhurst itself but it would be worth a trip!!! ShOrTcAkEx3x@aol.com

Bsmarcia

Everyone is forgetting that this was our clients home. Pennhurst was a "town" where all the retarded people were accepted for who they were just as they were.

Well, I don't know if someone put the shirt there or not, but there really were volunteers that were Candy Stripers when I worked there.

Did anyone realize that many of the retarded individuals had many deformaties? The different wheel may have been to accomodate a deformed hand. We did have many wheelchairs individualized for each client.

You should have seen it before it was looted and left to rot. It was really the grandest building in Pennhurst.

Disgraceful... Phantom, have you no respect?

As an adult, rather, even as a man who has lived for much longer than many of us here have, what do you think gives you the right to act with such immaturity? The site, as do the multiple sites for exploration throughout the world, does not belong to you alone, but to the public, to the many who seek to explore it. It, in essence, is a place that belongs to all and, regardless of "the og urban explorer" and "Vale"s opinions (though they may be entitled to them as much as any of us are ours), is not to be subjected to such ill treatment as would be inflicted by those ignorant (or arrogant) enough to deem themselves above the common practice of decency in these locations.

Although they may be abandoned, these sites demand a certain degree of respect for the people how have served or suffered there as well as the events that have taken place there. By being abandoned, it doesn't give you the divine right to take whatever you may please from these buildings; that right belongs to no one but the authorities to whom the land is owned by (government or private, to be perfectly legal). You are there illegally, you are in that sense a "guest" on the property and should thereby abide by the code laid out for urban explorers instead of acting like an ill mannered two year old in a man's body. The idea is to preserve these places for as long as we possibly can, to ensure they can be viewed by urban explorers in the future... this ideal can not be realized if people such as yourself decide they are above the law, steal such items and use vandalism to mar the locations so many people venture year after year to experience.

This being said, I sincerely hope you stop this obscene practice of theft and vandalism... It is unbecoming and dreadful to hear of, especially in a person that should have the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong.

Please, either consider this and change your ways or stay away from these sites completely. We want to see them as they should be seen, untainted by the general stupidity of those who have not the intelligence to comprehend the damage their collective actions cause...

I'd love to play that... phantom of the opera style XD

Mmmm... calming colors...

Just looking at this chair really makes me feel upset, not angry as much as frustrated. I just can't help but picture a kid sitting there, sentenced to a time out and giving a sullen glare... Gives me the willies...