Pennhurst Asylum Paracon: History of the Asylum

Pennhurst Asylum is a former institution for individuals with disabilities that operated from 1908 to 1987. On November 23, 1908, "Patient number 1" was admitted to the hospital. According to Wikipedia, within four years of operation, Pennhurst was overcrowded and under pressure to admit immigrants, orphans, and criminals. You'll read about the institution in today's blog, plus there's a Link to a Short Video I made while there.  

WHO WERE HOUSED THERE? - Residents were classified into mental categories of imbecile or insane, into physical categories of epileptic or healthy, and into dental categories of good, poor, or treated when admitted.

(Photo: one of the buildings at Pennhurst Asylum. Credit: R.Gutro)

WHAT INDUSTRIES DID SOME PATIENTS WORK? - Residents were assigned to mattress-making, shoemaking and repair, grading, farming, laundry, domestic duties, sewing, baking, butchering, painting, and working in the store 

(Photo: One of the hallways in a building I walked through. Credit: R.Gutro) 

MY VIDEO SHORT ABOUT THE PARACON AND GUESTS: https://youtube.com/shorts/Crz5aPLOMzE?si=flnFEJ7x1BBm2IFq 

 ABOUT PENNHURST- In 1903, the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized the creation of the Eastern State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic.

(Photo: A look at 2 buildings from one of the grassy areas. Credit: R. Gutro) 

From 1903 to 1908, the first buildings were constructed on 633.913 acres of Crab Hill in Spring City, PA on what was referred to as the lower campus. Buildings had different designations and functions that included: girl's dining room, kitchen and storeroom, cottages for girls,boys' dining room, teacher's home, cottages for boys, a school, laundry and sewing, and the power house which was also used as a temporary administration building until the institution's opening in 1918.

(Photo: Rob standing outside of one of the buildings at Pennhurst Asylum. Credit: R.Gutro)

 In 1921, Whitman and Wilson I and II were constructed along with Penn Hall for employee housing; in 1929, the assembly building was complete and functioned as the gymnasium and auditorium.

NEXT: The Ghosts I Encountered at Pennhurst!