PENNHURST EPISODE: GHOST ASYLUM

  Pennhurst State School and Hospital was recently explored by Destination America Ghost Asylum. The Tennessee Wraith Chasers geared up to try to rescue trapped spirits at Pennhurst. They tracked down, interacted and then eventually trapped a ghost “Mary.”

 Having taken part in the stage setting of this episode, I feel the need to clarify that Pennhurst was never called Pennhurst Asylum. It was never intended to house the criminally insane and although in the beginning of Pennhurst’s reign the state tried to slip them in, they were quickly weeded out. Pennhurst’s intention was to segregate the physically and mentally handicapped from “normal” society. There was a common belief that children with mental illness would grow up to become future criminals. The plan was to take these kids, educate them and teach them a vocation. And with any institution you have the good, the bad and the ugly. Children were not deliberately abused as the show suggests but rather were neglected due to staff shortage, lack of funding and misdiagnosis.  Orphans and epileptics were added to the stock pile of unwanted people. What we might consider current day abuse was deemed to be up to date and medically necessary in Pennhurst’s realm.

Once upon a time, parents thought their children could be cured of mental illness. Pennhurst gave them hope for the cure – a cure that never came.

People want to know if people died at Pennhurst? Of course they did. There was illness and disease within the Pennhurst compound. But most deaths occurred from medical issues, such as asthma attacks or complications from surgery.  Was there abuse? Of course there was, but this was more resident upon resident because of lack of staff.  The ratio for patient to caregiver was absurd. There was good staff and a few bad – such in today’s modern world.

Pennhurst was tragic because most kids grew to adulthood in Pennhurst walls. The quality of life is to be what is questioned. To be a small child and be separated from your family is a crime indeed.

On another note: I was never a security guard at the previous Pennhurst State School and Hospital or for the Pennhurst Asylum (current day Halloween attraction.)  I am not exactly a tour guide as well. I am consider to be “Event Staff" - which is a cross between security and a guide.   

Author Tamera Lawrence

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II 

Amazon.com 

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

Echos of the past lay in the hallways of the Mayflower Building, Pennhurst. Eerie and at times mystical, one has the sensation that around any corner, one might come face to face with something unimaginable - something from what nightmares are made of. 

But is the Mayflower Hall building really haunted as many people allege? 

Absolutely. Take if from a skeptic, now a firm believer. 

So if you are wondering what to do during the Ghost Hunt this Halloween season, open your eyes and let yourself absorb Mayflower's essence. Take  pictures with your cell phone. Listen. Pause and wait a moment. Is there something touching you? Perhaps stroking your hair or holding your hand? Could something really be whispering to you? For a better chance, come early before the crowds descend. Sundays and Thursdays are best. 

You might just get a once in a lifetime photo opportunity or perhaps that scare of a lifetime. 

Ghost Hunt  is open Thursdays through Sundays, until November 1st at the Pennhurst Asylum, Spring City, Pa. 

Author Tamera Lawrence 

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II 


Both books are on Amazon.com and on sale at Pennhurst Haunt: Thursday thru Sunday, until November 1st. 

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!! 

PENNHURST: MAYFLOWER HALL

Pennhurst: Friday night's storm

OCTOBER 9, 10 11 



Wicked rain and wind didn't stop the Pennhurst Asylum from opening its doors to the public Friday night. Fans still came to the haunt for a fright-filled evening.  Ghost hunt drew a slower paced crowd. Once again, people were getting pictures of orbs and shadow people. 

Saturday night turned out to be seasonally cold. People came from all around Pennsylvania, many traveling from other states. Mayflower Hall was bursting with energy from the rowdier folks, eager to seek out ghosts in a darkened environment. Someone reported the sighting of a little girl spirit on the 1st floor. Another claimed something breathed down his neck. Many aren't sure of Mayflower's paranormal activity. A few went away believers, others not so certain. But Mayflower made them think about it. 

Sunday night was damp and cool. But the drizzle stopped and fresh air traveled up the 2nd-floor staircase. The main hallway appeared foggy and mystical. Since the other attractions begin before ours, ghost hunt was slow to start. A few guests had the place to themselves though a few were looking over their shoulders. Reports began of invisible touching. This is not new to Mayflower, but it was happening in a pretty steady draw. Women reported having their hair tugged or a hand touch their head. This happened for most of the night. After all, Mayflower was a male ward. It's not surprising that these reports mostly come from females. 

A family arrived that has been coming to ghost hunt for the past four years. These folks had numerous interactions with the spirits in Mayflower, sharing them with me over the years. The son managed to catch a voice recording though it was hard to tell what was said. He was alone at the time, in the back hallway off the main staircase. Someone else shared a really great picture of our shadowy nurse from the previous year. Others were getting some pretty interesting pictures. 

As the night continued, I found myself walking up and down the hallway, pointing out areas of interest. But as I was standing in the middle of the hallway, invisible fingers touched my hair. This happened off and on for about fifteen minutes. Restlessly, I moved around, trying to shake off the sensation. If I had a hat, I would have probably shoved it down over my head. 

Ghost hunt will be open this Thursday night. This is a great time to explore Mayflower without the heavier weekend crowds. Come early and get to spend some alone time with the spirits. 

Hopefully, they will touch you and not me...:) 

Author Tamera Lawrence

Books:
GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING 

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II

Amazon.com or you can buy the books at Pennhurst 

Pennhurst is located in Spring City, Pennsylvania 

MAYFLOWER HALL: PENNHURST

Mayflower Hall Building: Parking lot/Catwalk side

Although Pennhurst opened in 1908, all the buildings weren't completed till later dates. The Mayflower Hall Building was opened in 1919. The building has been kept for the most part in its original state. You can explore the 1st and 2nd floor of this building during the annual Pennhurst Asylum Halloween attraction (Ghost Hunt)and take a peek at our museum, staffed by two former aids of the original Pennhurst State School and Hospital. 

Author Tamera Lawrence 

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING 

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II 

Amazon.com 

Also available for sale at Pennhurst Asylum 

Pennhurst Asylum 

Address:  Church & Bridge Road 

Spring City Pa 19475

MAYFLOWER HALL: PENNHURST

October 4^th, 2015

Sunday evening drew breaks in the clouds and the sun made an appearance. As the evening progressed, the weather grew chilled.

Ghost Hunt, located in the Mayflower Hall Building seemed murky, almost foggy at times. But the folks coming through enjoyed the event. One woman had what looked to be a ghostly form in one of her pictures, others held plenty of orbs.

Pennhurst State School and Hospital is always beautiful in the fall. Each weekend the tinted leaves grow into a darker luster. 

This picture was taken in the roadside front of Mayflower Hall. Notice the light on the bottom of the tree. There was nothing reflective on the bottom of this tree, yet this glowing orb is rich in brightness.  

The rustic grounds of Pennhurst are mystical indeed.

Author Tamera Lawrence

Books:

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II 

Amazon.Com 

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: OCTOBER 3 2015

October 3, 2015

Mayflower Hall at the Pennhurst Haunt was bursting with paranormal activity on Saturday night. With the continual rain , Mayflower was damp and cold. Patches of water lay in some of the corners and back rooms. It is said that water is a conduit. Perhaps there is some truth to this. For the more the dampened feet walked around, the more the paranormal activity emerged.

Several people had gotten pictures of faces in some of the windows. One woman heard a sigh close to her ear. Others had trouble with their cameras, even though their batteries were fully charged upon entering the building. Two people saw a shadow man in the common room.Once again, the alarms played tricks on us. 

As the wind whipped up the staircase, people reported feelings of oppressive heaviness - something I feel on occasion. 

Ghostly tales emerged from some of the customers, who shared their own personal hauntings.

But the highlight of my night was when three lovely ladies came all the way from Ohio to see us. Upon taking them down the main staircase (for safety reasons) one lady exclaimed, “You look just like the woman who wrote the book I’m reading.”

                I had a good laugh.

                Author Tamera Lawrence  

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II 

Available on Amazon.com & Barnes & Noble

Common Room: dark graffiti

MAYFLOWER HALL: PENNHURST OCT 2 2015

October 2, 2015

The torrential rain didn’t stop ghost enthusiast from stopping by the Ghost Hunt at Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, Pa. As the rain drummed away on the roof, people were busy exploring the 1^st and 2^nd floor of the Mayflower Hall Building, Mayflower is known for its paranormal activity.

Several people reported hearing echoing footsteps following them. Others reported sounds of humming or whispers. One woman swore the common room held a dark entity – one she feared would follow her home. Another couple shared their three- year-old daughter’s invisible friend story, a friend named Choke – a bit alarming.

During a lull in customers, the main hallway held the steady drip, drip, drip, in the back corner. The rain blew its shrill whistle. The alarms played tricks all night and a white mist moved across the floor of the room holding our little airplane.

All in all, it was an interesting evening, rain and all. 

Author Tamera Lawrence

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II

Available on Amazon.com