Pennhurst State School and Hospital
The history of Pennhurst is one of the most infamous tales of any American asylum. It was established by legislative acts in 1903 and construction lasted from that year until its opening in 1908. The first buildings were built on 633 acres of land in Chester County, PA. The campus was split into two sections, the upper level, and the lower level. The campus was built in a cottage plan, featuring many two-story brick and terracotta buildings with granite trim. The building layout was as follows:
Lower campus buildings:
Administration, Philadelphia, Quaker, Rockwell, Franklin, Nobel, Union, Vincennes, Tinicum, Industry, Penn, Devon, Mayflower, Limerick, Assembly, Storeroom, Laundry, Whitman, Wilson I, Wilson II, Hershey,
Upper campus buildings:
Pershing, Buchanan, Audubon, Keystone, Capitol, Horizon
Other buildings:
Power House, Treatment Plant, Director's House, Green House, Dairy Farm
Pennhurst became well known for torturous practices, overcrowding, and neglect. The Chief Physician at Pennhurst strictly followed the principals of leading eugenicist Henry H Goddard. A report from Pennhurst to the PA Legislature was quoted as follows:
"Every feeble-minded person is a potential criminal. The general public, although more convinced today than ever before that it is a good thing to segregate the idiot or the distinct imbecile, they have not as yet been convinced as to the proper treatment of the defective delinquent, which is the brighter and more dangerous individual".
In 1968, the famous NBC10 report, lead by Bill Baldini, exposed the horrific conditions at Pennhurst in a five-part television series. This report can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIepqvHii-M
In 1977, a class action suit was filed against Pennhurst and stated that the institution violated the constitutional rights of the patients. It was ruled that Pennhurst had violated the patients 8th and 14th Amendments due to the conditions being unsanitary, inhumane, and dangerous along with the use of cruel and unusual punishment. In 1983, 9 employees were indicted on charges that included physical assault of patients (most in wheelchairs) and setting up fights among patients. The hospital was ultimately closed in 1987 after over a decade of investigation.
Today, many of the buildings are owned by the VA Administration. Other buildings were torn down in 2016 and 2017. The remaining buildings are owned by a "paranormal" group. The Preserve Pennhurst Alliance are also looking to restore some of the remaining buildings.
Read MoreLower campus buildings:
Administration, Philadelphia, Quaker, Rockwell, Franklin, Nobel, Union, Vincennes, Tinicum, Industry, Penn, Devon, Mayflower, Limerick, Assembly, Storeroom, Laundry, Whitman, Wilson I, Wilson II, Hershey,
Upper campus buildings:
Pershing, Buchanan, Audubon, Keystone, Capitol, Horizon
Other buildings:
Power House, Treatment Plant, Director's House, Green House, Dairy Farm
Pennhurst became well known for torturous practices, overcrowding, and neglect. The Chief Physician at Pennhurst strictly followed the principals of leading eugenicist Henry H Goddard. A report from Pennhurst to the PA Legislature was quoted as follows:
"Every feeble-minded person is a potential criminal. The general public, although more convinced today than ever before that it is a good thing to segregate the idiot or the distinct imbecile, they have not as yet been convinced as to the proper treatment of the defective delinquent, which is the brighter and more dangerous individual".
In 1968, the famous NBC10 report, lead by Bill Baldini, exposed the horrific conditions at Pennhurst in a five-part television series. This report can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIepqvHii-M
In 1977, a class action suit was filed against Pennhurst and stated that the institution violated the constitutional rights of the patients. It was ruled that Pennhurst had violated the patients 8th and 14th Amendments due to the conditions being unsanitary, inhumane, and dangerous along with the use of cruel and unusual punishment. In 1983, 9 employees were indicted on charges that included physical assault of patients (most in wheelchairs) and setting up fights among patients. The hospital was ultimately closed in 1987 after over a decade of investigation.
Today, many of the buildings are owned by the VA Administration. Other buildings were torn down in 2016 and 2017. The remaining buildings are owned by a "paranormal" group. The Preserve Pennhurst Alliance are also looking to restore some of the remaining buildings.
