PENNHURST STATE SCHOOL & HOSPITAL

When walking the Pennhurst Campus, one can find beauty surrounding the buildings and landscape. These pictures were taken in the fall 2017. 

This Tree stands out in the Pennhurst Campus

Pennhurst State Hospital 1908 - 1987

Pennhurst Catwalk - beneath lies the tunnel system

The Pennhurst State Hospital & School housed people who were physically and mentally handicaped. Children with special needs were placed at Pennhurst to segregate them from "normal" society. These kids were housed and schooled at the Pennhurst campus and trained  in a vocation so that one day, they wouldn't  become future criminals. (as was the belief at the time)

Severely underfunded, Pennhurst lacked the ability to adequately care for the special needs of its populace. As a result, many residents were neglected and regressed mentally and physically. 

When the atrocious living conditions at Pennhurst were revealed in 1968 by newscaster, Bill Baldini - people were outraged over the footage. But exposure brought little to no difference. And as the buildings deteriorated so did the hope for any real change. It would take a lawsuit and continued exposure for Pennhurst to  be forced to closed its doors - forever. 

Today the Pennhurst Campus is said to be haunted. Many witnesses claim to have interacted with spirits. Ghostly phenomenon inside the buildings, tunnels or even the surrounding landscape is a common assertion. 

Whatever your belief, Pennhurst still stands today as a testament to the past. 

Author Tamera Lawrence

Want More? Check out -

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING on Amazon.com