458 Comments for Belchertown State School

I've made many trips here, as a photographer myself, and never had any issue. 10 years exploring and made a rookie mistake in 2015/16, 2 police officers saw us INSIDE a building. We came outside and we all spoke. Myself (39) and my cohorts (in their 60's) had all of our gears in our hands, said that we drove out from Eastern MA to see the place and were just honest to them. Not only did they let us go, they let us continue exploring! I'm going to miss this place, as it's an old favorite!

Excellent gallery, btw!

I wouldn't recommend exploring here now a days, they have security!

Here is another link with some more pictures-
http://www.ebay.com/sc...n+projector&_sacat=0

An update to my comment of several years back. I did finally get the courage to start up my projector and Dave (above) is SO right! It is rather loud, sounding like a Sunbeam mixmaster whipping up egg whites! The smell of burning dust, lubricating oil and hot film instantly brought back so many memories of my youth. It did seem to be a little rough on the film, not as gentle like the Bell & Howell's I have. But it did work after not being used for many many years and proves they were machines that were built to last.

My Aunt was raised BSS back in the early 50's I am trying to help her find some of her old friends. If anyone can help me please email me at sienbabe@aol.com thank you so much

I remember this institution very well and knew some of the residents. Back then, chidren could be placed there at birth, often recommended by a family physician.

for anybody reading, it's mid-2015 and I've been there 4 times within the past 3-4 months. for what I can tell after my visits, more anore buildings are disappearing. my first visit every building was there but one of them had all boards removed from the windows and every single desk, chair, etc. (you name it), was removed as well. just got back there from a long visit today and there are bulldozers there and everything and from what I can tell there are now 3 buildings completely demolished and gone. just piles of dirt now. if you're planning on seeing this place and exploring it in depth, I'd recommend doing it as soon as possible. every time I go there there's more gone. I love it there and I'm glad to say I've been able to see a majority of what it has to offer. I'd love to do some tunnel exploring but I've been told by many that I need a respirator and boots to do so. which isn't a problem to me at all hahaha. go there quick before it's gone for good. an amazing place to explore where you don't feel like you're doing any harm.

Was just there the other day, all the buildings are still there with the doors wide open. Sadly it's getting torn down soon, for real this time.

Zigzag Man & awesomeme6969, You are both wrong I grew up in Belchertown, awesomeme6969 you worked at the newer state school located across the street from chestnut hill and behind the new police station. while all locals like myself knew that The Old State School that was located away from that site atop a hill down the street that runs by lord Jeff (and new stop & shop) past Dana hill after the 1 car underpass. The old state school was in fact burnt down by the fire department in a fire exercise that you did have right zigzagman you just had the location wrong. I knew members of the fire department and YES THE OLD STATE SCHOOL WAS BURNED DOWN BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT in what they claimed to be am exercise. Also they figured it was a good way to put an end to ghost hunters visiting the place. Although I would not be surprised if it was done to hide the horrific history of the place as well. I'm sure they did not want people to come out of there with pictures of the shackles in the basement.

Rosalyn, I am sure your mother went through hell there, I feel that was why my grandmother only worked there for such a short time as a nurse. It is true that all types of young and old people resided in these institutions from a runaway (as was your mom), people not able to hear, too many children to take care of, to disabled .... I have always thought that it was the employees that needed to be let go and hire competent people to take care of these folks and not be rid of the idea of a community to be gone. A lot of the folks that lived in them in later years actually had more freedom on grounds than in everyday society, now, some are in gorgeous homes but are actually prisoners in their homes no independence to walk on public sidewalks due to the public"s opinions of the disabled.and need to be escorted everywhere.. ( not all homes are like that though, some do have more independence than others )So I guess I am saying I want to apologize for your mom's treatment there and wish I could've known her but an open mind about some of those communities and the good that COULD have resulted from them if having competent, caring, and ,compassionate people there to help them then maybe a much different outcome could have been for your family ... We all learn from our mistakes...please try not to be bitter, but I do understand why you may be.

I would love to see this building, my grandmother worked there as a nurse in'22 and '23 she was raised in Belchertown. Wish I could find her time card again...found it once and it was confirmed by a worker there before it closed, of course I lost it somehow :( but it was my only proof that she worked with my grandfather and bore two children from him ...oh well, guess some things are better off lost

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.

what building is the theater building ? i went there today and took a lot of pictures but i could not find the theater building is it in the front next to the police station or in the back ?

or mabye not

those seats are in good shape