This is a follow up to yesterday’s blog post. The following images are only from the Administrative building (which is more difficult to access).
In keeping with the Halloween theme for this time of the year, I thought now would be a good time to post this. During the summer, I had the opportunity to visit Pennhurst State School & Hospital, originally known as the Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic positioned on the border between Chester County and Montgomery County in Pennsylvania. In 1903, the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized the creation of the institution and a commission was organized to take into consideration the number and status of the feeble-minded and epileptic persons in the state and determine a placement for construction to care for these residents. From 1903 to 1908 the first buildings were constructed. On November 23, 1908, “Patient number 1” was admitted to the hospital. Within four years of operation, Pennhurst was already overcrowded. I can only imagine what it must have been like to arrive at this place. I was able to gain access through the efforts of Denise Ippolito, a very talented photographer. Here is a link to her website.
This blog will consist of two posts. The first one is of the general campus and the next one will be the Administrative building.