To sum this all up it is a BAT. Just today I got kicked off the property and I asked about all the odd army equipment on the property... The guard that was escorting us off the grounds told us that the US National Guard has an active weaponry storage department on the grounds, and rocket is just what trace63b said it was a few posts above.
Just a little side note, we got let out without a fine for only one reason... We told them that we didn't go inside of the buildings (lie). We were told that if they would have seen us going into/leaving any structure on the Pennhurst property that we would have a fine of $500, and receive a trespassing citation for state and federal property. Also, we could run the risk of more things since 9/11 and that there are weapons on the grounds that belong to the military. We had to give them our licences, and we opted to let them search our backpacks and cameras... As long as you think ahead and keep the stuff you take in your inner coat pockets, and take the memory card out of your cameras when you are walking around you will be fine... Just use your head and be polite to the guards and army people!!
Joe Almeida: I read the State Boys Rebellion. God bless you! What a horrible experience. I lived in Waltham and worked at the Fernald in the McDouglall building (it's now a homeless shelter) I would love to talk to you about strange things that happened there (ghosts).
I restore old cars, and furniture, and homes for a living. I love how people tell me how I cannot make something desirable again. They go on, and on about how ugly the place, or thing is. When I get done rebuilding, and restoring said items. They can't wait to buy it, or live in it again. I look at what can be, not what bad shape it is. All it takes is, hard work, and money, and you can fix anything.
Looking at pictures of old buildings, and seeing the decay of them. You have to remember, there was once a day, when they were state of the art. And, I am sure, they kept the best care that was available at the time. All hospitals were not torture chambers.
I think they were in boxes. Look closely, and see the remains of the boxes that once held them. Somebody might had come along and pulled the boxes apart, looking for something valuable.
There is the chair were the famous china man Whuo Phung Poo one of the orginal ocupants who wrote a book . it was titled Brown Spots on the WALL BY Whuo Phung Poo
Just a little side note, we got let out without a fine for only one reason... We told them that we didn't go inside of the buildings (lie). We were told that if they would have seen us going into/leaving any structure on the Pennhurst property that we would have a fine of $500, and receive a trespassing citation for state and federal property. Also, we could run the risk of more things since 9/11 and that there are weapons on the grounds that belong to the military. We had to give them our licences, and we opted to let them search our backpacks and cameras... As long as you think ahead and keep the stuff you take in your inner coat pockets, and take the memory card out of your cameras when you are walking around you will be fine... Just use your head and be polite to the guards and army people!!