Photos From The Pennsylvania Kayaker

Today I took a look around some of the old buildings at the Pennhurst State School and Hospital near Spring City, PA.  Photos are located  here -- http://pennkayaker-abandoned.buzznet.com/user/photos/

Steve

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History --

Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Spring City, PA was opened in 1908 and closed in 1987.

The State School and Hospital provided housing, treatment, education and vocational training of adults and children with mental and physical disabilities.  Most patients were sent here by there families. 

In the 1970s, the hospital was involved in a class-action suit and was found guilty in 1977 of violating patient's constitutional rights.  Patients were beaten, sexually assaulted and put in isolation for long periods of time. 

Photo evidence - http://www.elpeecho.com/pennhurst/PhotoEv-1977.htm


The suit ordered that Pennhurst be closed and that residents be placed in suitable "community living arrangements".  In 1987, the facility was closed and patients were either released or moved moved to other facilities.