4,537 Comments for Pennhurst State School

The walls were cubicles. There were two to four clients in each cubicle with closets for their belongings. It was an attempt to give some privacy. There were no ceilings on the cubicles. The ceilings of the buildings were high and in order to have heat and light you could not box in the cubicles.

The wooden enclosures were to prevent injury from hot radiators and in case someone fell against them. It also protected the radiators from the clients.

The Mayflower building was used for Profoundly Retarded Handicapped Male clients. Most were confined to wheelchairs and a few ambulatory. All had some sort of disability. Speaking from experience, from the late 70's to just about closing.

to Former Employee

I sure as hell hope you did report that as abuse. If not SHAME ON YOU.

I worked there in the late 70's until almost closing. The only people I saw in a crib like that were those that were likely to fall out of bed. You have to remember until there was public outcry Pennhurst did have to work with what was available. After that newer beds and equipment came on the scenes. You are also seeing photos of things left to rot for 20 years and many things that were not in use when I worked there. Retarded persons are "Special" people now - before they were to be hidden. People did not talk about having a family member with a disability. Institutions did not make themselves People and Society did. At one time prisons and institutions were dumping grounds for the unwanted. Easier to forget them. Unfortunatly there was no seperate placement for the Insane, Retarded, Orphans, Deformities. Thankfully now there are and there is no need for larger institutions.

By the time this toy was manufactured there were no "children" at Pennhurst Center. There were only adults with the mental capacity of children.

I worked at Pennhurst Center - I sat in a chair like that - I worked on the violent ward and there was a need for that type of chair to prevent injury to other clients. I also worked on a ward with profoundly handicapped people and believe me there was a need for soft furniture that would not tip over.

Rusty,
If you see this I'd be very curious to read your research.
s.w.carmichael@gmail.com

It has been a long time since I dropped in on this site.
To those who may not be aware, Fred Boyce passed away May 6, 2006. It was Fred's story that brought a personal face to the horrors of places like Pennhurst or Fernald. While this knowledge is heartbreaking, we should all never forget what Fred Boyce and his fellow "state boys" endured, for that we should honor the memory of Fred Boyce and the bravery of his story.

It seems that a face is appearing above the center of the two windows.

well if the students were that bad there than thank god this place is closed.

if take it home and oil it it might work you never know.

institutions are very cruel to the people with disabilitis. This is sad. I'm happy that pennhust close.
phil genovese

This picture is awesome, they reflect insanity and cutenes with terror and fairy tales. Dude i love youre page. You're a great artist.

i'm not entirely sure but that could be a B3 if it is you should find a way to take it and sell it. It could be worth alot