Abandoned Pennhurst State School and Hospital 

This video did not need music, Hearing the natural sounds of echos and water dripping made it so real. Thanks for another great video.

i find it to be a form of disrespect that they made this place a haunted house attraction.

Places like Pennhurst start with the best intentions and end up as dumping grounds mostly for people that cannot advocate for themselves. So very sad and it still goes on today but thankfully not as much. It is no longer shameful to have a family member with special needs.

no problem. When i started doing this channel with these urbex videos, I was going that route with the music. I would watch other urbex people channels and though it was the way to go. However after a month or so, i changed it to no more music except when I am showcasing my still pictures. Pennhurst was a great place to explore and I wanted to remaster it with no music. Glad you enjoyed!

When I was a kid my neighbors mom worked at Pennhurst. She was one of the strangest individuals I ever met, and it was said working there mad her crazy. She would tell of the “waterhead” inmates whose heads were enormous and could not leave their beds. All kinds of crazy shit went on there. These type “institutions” were nothing less than legalized torture chambers where abuse was not only common but deliberately covered up. When Pennhurst closed, they dumped many of the chronic patients who were able to walk out onto the street. I drove a tractor trailer in Spring City where Pennhurst is and around 3am every morning when I’d pull the hill on Bridge Street, a convoy of Pennhurst Zombies would walk aimlessly down Bridge Street toward the light at Main and Bridge streets looking exactly like the walking dead in white robes. This was to me a despicable indication of a completely dysfunctional government in operation, and demonstrated the lie of political altruism which was the original salvo that opened my eyes all those years ago to the scam of forced taxpayer contributions being required to stabilize society. The total waste and misery caused BY this government upon it’s own citizens is so massive as to be inconceivable. So let’s elect ANOTHER lying political prostitute in 2020 who makes promises they never intend to keep, as morons wave signs and line up at voting booths to cast their vote for hirelings who’ve been pre selected before the first televised debate aired. Smart.....very Smart

what is shame when I was in there I was 15 I'm 33 now and it was in much better repair but now they tore it all apart and did all sorts of weird things to do

I too saw the Pennhurst docu while researching mental hospitals and insane asylums. I too was horrified. What's worst was the horrible administrators and staff that ran those buildings. Let's not forget the parents of these feeble minded children who dropped off and abandoned their kids, leaving them there to be horribly abused and killed, where was the "love" for these innocent helpless souls? Watching the docu hurt me to my heart, I just cried. The conditions of these buildings now after sitting abandoned for 25 yrs, are horribly rotted and decayed. Pretty much describes the people that ran those places inflicting unimaginable treatments on their patients. My heart and prayers goes out to all of those who have lost their lives while holed up in those dungeons. I was quite surprised to see those yellow stage curtains still intact after many yrs. I can't see anyone considering attempting to restore those buildings, they would be best torn down, demolish all of them.

My Friend's Mom actually got to adopt a kid from there, He is about in his 30's now and the stories he tells us are dark and scary. He even said someone was suffering right next to him I almost break down in tears listening to them.

This reminds me if Cane Hill asylum in England. It was open for many years and overcrowded and understaffed. Some patients ran away and committed suicide even, including David Bowie's brother, Terry Burns.

Wooooow! Stomach is in knots! & my heart still aches. Hands down to you! & thanks for sharing. But one question! After walking the grounds & entering the abandoned buildings. When you went back out to "reality" how did you feel? Cause if that was me! Id be a blubbering mess. Just sobbin.....& sad. Just to think about those whom actually lived there & suffered.

This place resemble concentration camps, i feel so sad and devastated just to watch it. some humans can be so evil and cruel!

I went here a few years ago and walked around. Very risky, there were no trespassing signs posted all over, but I just had to see it. I’m so fascinated by abandoned buildings like this. Incredible and very creepy but absolutely captivating. I agree that it really is a huge risk to go there without permission. I got lucky.

I found out the reason why they wont let them burn it down @Gut zilla, the Historial sociality declared it a historical site, so it can not be touch. I knew a woman who lived there for 42 yrs. she went there as a child, her parents died, aunt and uncle took her in, then decided they didnt want her, so they put her in Pennhurst.

This should of never have happened i couldn't watch or hear anymore because of how these innocent people who are just like you or me got treated may you lost souls rest in peace :'(

This is def the place to be. It massive and gives you that eerie chill just walking around it.

I had an encounter down there that still haunts me today, 2 years later. There was a room down there with a rusted surgery table in the center. No graffiti, no trash. I was surprised by this and slowly entered. I was suddenly hit by an overwhelming feeling of absolute dread, and backed out. I can see why that room is left alone.

A lot of thought and money went into putting that place together. Too bad they didn't hold up to the promise of taking care of the patients. Hauntingly beautiful and hard to say with knowing how the patients were treated.

When he first got to Pennhurst I heard faint crying in the background so sad 😞

Just the fact that the place is so very abandoned makes it scary! And I wasn't even really there but I get goosebumps watching! Thank you for posting! I'd have never known what this place " really" looked like without your very brave explorations!

My husband actually takes care of 3 people who once lived there 😕 it’s truly sad to know about how he once had to live but a blessing he made out alive and is doing well to this day 🙂

The silence is deafening isn't it? Thank you again Steve- another wonderful video

Great video. I've seen it many times. Thank you.

Just discovered your channel. Amazing footage. Intensely mesmerizing when I think of the place as functional. Great work and thank you.

I've explored here. The Mayflower Bldg. is the most haunted out of the entire complex. The tunnels connecting the buildings might be creepy, dark and filled with debris but it's the Mayflower Bldg. that even during the daylight hours is beyond description concerning it's feeling of death, despair and hopelessness. The EVP evidence , the footsteps caught on audio and the goosebumps and hair standing on end was enough to make us stop and try to shake off the fear that was permeating us. We have also investigated Letchworth Village in Haverstraw, NY and Pennhurst stands toe to toe with Letchworth as being one of the most haunted places in the country.

Really wicked video, you are so lucky to have gained permission to look around! The footage quality was wonderful, (I subscribed) what camera do you use? :)

Sounds like the State workers were crazy if they abused these helpless people...

My Mom grew up outside Phila. She says she remembers back in the day that when she was a kid and misbehaved they would tell her and the cousins that they would be sent to Pennhurst. Jeez. She's 87 now!

Wow! Fascinating. This was so gripping; you did a TERIFFIC job here. Thanks for sharing.

Thank You chiefamylee. Glad you enjoyed it. I really liked this place and plan to return in the near future

This is so amazing! Thankyou so much for uploading this!

I'm surprised no one mentioned that this was the same hospital grave encounters film was made.

Remember the old saying, "if only these walls could talk". Well, from what Steve says the history of this place is, I don't think I would want to hear what the walls would say if they could talk!!! And I mean that seriously, what a ghastly place it must have been for the patients when it was operating. Thanks again Steve!

Thank You so much. Glad you enjoyed it

I live in the town next to Royersford. This place chills the entire state. I went on site to try to get some pictures but (twice on separate occasion) was adeptly met by armed security and police. Thankfully the security guard was cool, and we had mutual connections. Enter at own risk.

Thank You. I was very happy to take part in this and already spoke with them again to return after the haunt season going on there now. Always good to hear from a Pro Explorer.

You are a real artist. No sound made this gripping. Blurbs were an inspiration. Being a musician, i loved that you focused on the sheet music. "Smoke gets in your eyes:" of all things. The playground was a bit of noire. Loved it. Thank you.

Thank You. Glad you enjoyed it

did anyone here the voice at 2:15 saying you've gone fricken mad

Great video thanks for posting it!

I did like the music.... At the end of the day...why not? It suits the feeling of loss...

Thank You. Yea Pennhurst is my all time favourite. I grew up not far from it and back in the day, it was an easy fun place to get into. Now it much harder

Can you feel the energy and the silence so eerie.

It have taken me a while, to even dare see such places even when closed down. Because I know how they was treated, been on a children's home a few times, because my mother was sick, in the sixties. Even I'm 58 now, I still have some deep wounds and scars that need heeling. I try my best to support other children in same situation, luckily the worst of the worst places are closed or have new management, but you have to be awake all the time, so history don't repeat itself. BTW We still sue the state to give us and apology. The Danish government won't give it, they are afraid they will be sued for money then, but we just wan't the damn apology. Thank you for showing it and tell about and the name of the docu.

Love your videos. It makes me sick to hear how these poor people were treated.

Thank You. Glad you enjoyed it. Welcome

When I was in 11th Grade in 1967 our health class visited here and it was horrible. They walked our whole class through the buildings and they took us up into an attic with people who were considered brain damaged just hanging in baskets or sitting on the floor. It was a gruesome site and you didn't know what to do with it in your mind.

Wow! Excellent camera work. You focussed on the sheet music (Smoke Gets in your Eyes). Very compelling considering the subject matter. Also the history blurbs were so good. No spooky music made the experience more gripping! Can you tell I'm impressed? Gonna subscribe. Thanks!

i love checking out pennhurst. I plan to visit it again this winter.

This is an amazing video. I have seen the documentary "Suffer the Little Children" and am blown away by how disgusting human beings can be towards those they deem beneath them. How did you get permission to wander the campus?

Went on the VIP Ghost hunt from 11pm to 7am. Its not only very very haunted , Its a moving experience that is oh so sad. From Children, to nurses to the criminally insane. We heard it all. Our hunt was in the Mayflower Building . Our emf and ghost box was amazing. Something you never ever forget.

Just learned of this place after doing my SC State Hospital vid watched the suffer the little children video and your video. Now this place just gives me the creeps LOL ! but awesome video Steve!

one of the problems with any institution such as that is, the larger the less successful it will be. Special needs people cannot be helped in such a scope. I mean seriously, it was waaaay too big and overcrowded. If it had stayed half a dozen buildings, it would have been fine. Out of control. It's like a To-Do list with 1000 items, rather than 8...where to start!?

I would have been like a kid in a candy store in this place! Old typewriters, cabinets and such. I love old objects. And with permission!!!!! Great video

thanks for sharing, this gave me the creeps! There is no way you could get me to go there, the feeling I got from just watching it was BAD!!

Great job on the video

hey Steve Pennhurst one of my favorite haunts I do like the scary background music it adds to the creepy experience but you are doing an awesome job continue my friend Marco upstate New York

a spooky, Horrible place...your Very Brave Steve..Good Job..

I remember this video well, its hard to believe it's been 7 years.

I am (for some reason that I don't know) obsessed with Pennhurst Asylum. If I had the money to do so, I would restore Pennhurst to what it looked like in 1908. Make it into a museum that IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This would make a great Arkham Asylum for a Batman Fan Film.

Beautiful building's, its nice to watch and get the feel of the place without people talking.

When you pan the camera it feels like someone is going to be standing right there next to you...spooky!¡

yea i am going to try and go this route more. Most of my newer videos are like this. Just my older ones were the ones I am going away from

I used to walk those tunnels alone that 4 hours . Place emanates spirits. I'm not scared of them though I used to walk in those tunnels by myself for hours you could never explore the whole place it was so big. but there was something that got me obsessed with that place I went there every day for a very long time during the day during the night I got chased off by the military people that have a base up there I don't know if they still do that was a long time ago when the place wasn't in such bad shape who is still closed for like 18 years but those buildings are gorgeous pieces built with pride but they destroyed it now turned it into a damn tourist attraction

Awesome!!!

Thank You. I was freaky being there as I was alone!

The brickwork is amazing. Built when they had style.

Thanks man

Great shot of the Limerick power plant @ 14:00

That can be a problem. That fucks it up for those who simply want to tour the place, and see what it was like during its time.

Thanks Karen

Hi Steve. . .I realize it's been a few years since you posted this video, but what kind of camera are you using for the newer videos these days? Also, what did you use to film this video. Thanks Steve!

There are a few more abandoned buildings near by Penn Hurst hospital.

Hi Steve Great re do. It is a shame that so many ppl had to suffer because the medical community at 1 point in time believed that these ppl had to be warehoused for correct treatment. These poor souls still need our help, we need to pray for their release from these harsh environments. These places are all over the world. Keep yourself safe when you go into these places some of the patients that passed away in these places are very angry and they might try to hurt U. Blessings2u

Steve I liked the original version with the spooky music, so I wasn't one of the complainers, but I like this version too! You're right, you cannot definitely hear the eerie silence of the place. Also, for some reason, 1986 seems like too recent of date for this place to have been abandoned. I'm not doubting the accuracy of your info, but the inside looks to me like it's been abandoned since the late 60's. Great vid as always, Steve! Thanks for re-posting this. Steve

Your welcome, Glad you enjoyed it

too bad owner doesn't keep grounds cleared of tall grass

Why didn't you go into the tunnel system?As a teen I went exploring there quite a bit since there's many tunnels with ajoing buildings and other buildings through out the property. They originally designed the property to be all but self sustaining. Hence the green house and expansive fields once used for farming.

I have been in the tunnels when i was younger but they are closed up this time around. They use a large section of the tunnel for their haunted attraction in october

Abandoned mental institutions are all over the country. It seems to me a terrible waste of materials and property to have these places, many of which are architecturally significant, sitting empty going to rack and ruin. There ought to be some way to renovate and repurpose these places.

wow yea i never explored it back when it was easier to get into and nothing was really locked up that much. I have heard though from friend since I use to live in that area who said the same things

Its so terrible that these poor people had to live like this! It breaks my heart to know these people, especially young children were abandoned and constantly living in fear. However, this video was so interesting. Did you experience any paranormal stuff, for instance did you feel angry, sad, desperate vibes, or did you feel someone watching you, or did things move when they weren't supposed to? What did you experience? How did you feel being in there?

May be one of the most haunted places in the country. Would love to go there

I wish they would do some restoration to the bulidings -- focus more on historical aspects rather than the "AAA SPOOKY" aspects, maybe like a museum.

There was nothing wrong with the music you used in your last video ,conveyed the sadness of the place,beautifully.

I contacted this guy back in December 2012 and was finally able to do it in feb. Right now they are most likely not doing anything as the gear up for the haunt season which starts in 3 weeks there. I would try again after October 31.

Hi Steve, I think the music that you used conveyed the sicking horror that went on for all those years at Pennhurst state School and Hospital ,what do these people expect you to use The Sound Music sound track.

I also explored the factory next to Pennhurst. Don't know much about that building.

2 much SADNESS here.....

Thank You so much. I am not sure why but when I started doing this hobby on my channel i started with spooky music on a few videos and now I am disappointed I did that. This one though deserved to be re edited b/c it has a very deep and sad history and doesnt deserve the scary music.

I watched the Pennhurst documentary, just horrible.

Hey I wanted to do some filming and take some pictures, I was just wondering, how were you able to get permission to enter the grounds?

Good to see it like this before the whole holloween stuff

Like a dam college campus .

Hello Steve, how are you? I hope well! I'm from Brazil and I have trouble understanding, when I can just use the Google translator, also to write. What an amazing video! What beautiful architecture of these buildings, why leave, why all finished? Many objects have been lost over time, what a pity, I'm sorry, I wonder where they are and why abandonment. Congratulations, great matter. Abrasive, Oswald

How did you go about getting access?

Hello and welcome to my channel! Pennsylvania hear in the US has a lot of history of old builds way back in the 1700s so you see lot of videos of this area. Pennhurst is located not far from the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania

it does, wonder if it been replaced recently

Hi Daisy, I am not sure what they are doing at the moment. Right know all I know is they offer the paranormal tours which are done after 9pm. They do not offer any public day time tours but I believe they want to some day

Почему-то у меня, это место вызывает смутные воспоминания. Будто я ходила по этим дорожкам, видела залитый водой бассейн, все было в ухоженном состоянии. И еще воспоминания, как устанавливали (саму сварку металла) металические лестницы. Странно это, вроде всегда проживала в другой стране.