Exploring America’s Dark Past: The Rise of Urban Exploration in Abandoned Asylums and Mental Institutions.
Urban exploration, or urbex for short, is a hobby that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It involves exploring abandoned buildings and structures, often with the goal of documenting their history and capturing their eerie beauty. One type of location that is particularly popular among urban explorers is abandoned asylums and mental institutions.
These places have a dark history, as they were once used to house individuals deemed mentally ill or unstable. Many of these institutions were overcrowded and underfunded, leading to mistreatment and neglect of patients. As a result, many people believe that these buildings are haunted by the spirits of those who suffered within their walls.
Despite the grim past associated with these locations, they have become hotspots for urban explorers looking for unique photo opportunities and historical insight into how society treated those with mental illnesses in the past.
One such location is Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts. Built in 1874 as an asylum for the mentally ill, it was notorious for its brutal treatment of patients. Overcrowding became a major issue at Danvers State Hospital over time due to lack of funding from the state government which led to poor living conditions inside the hospital’s walls.
The building itself was designed by architect Nathaniel J. Bradlee who was given specific instructions on what he should design by superintendent Dr Thomas Kirkbride (who designed similar hospitals around America). The layout – known as “Kirkbride Plan” – was supposed to be therapeutic but this did not work out well at Danvers State Hospital where it ultimately failed due to lack of funds after opening its doors.
After 130 years serving patients suffering from mental illness disorders until 1992 when it shut down due to public outcry against its practices; however, several attempts have been made since then at redevelopment efforts including converting parts into apartments or condominiums while preserving architectural aspects like doorways made out wrought iron bars across windowsills which give off an eerie vibe.
Another popular location for urban explorers is the abandoned Athens Lunatic Asylum in Ohio. Built in 1874, it was designed to be a self-sufficient community for those with mental illnesses. The asylum had its own farm, power plant and even a cemetery. It also housed some of the most dangerous and violent patients who were kept in cells locked behind thick iron doors.
The Athens Lunatic Asylum was also known for its experimental treatments on patients such as electroshock therapy and lobotomies which led to many deaths among them. Additionally, there have been rumors of patient abuse by staff members at this institution, which has added to its dark reputation over time.
The asylum closed down permanently in 1993 due to budget constraints faced by the state government that ran it. Since then, the building has remained abandoned and decaying until recently when preservation efforts began aimed at transforming it into a museum showcasing Ohio’s history of mental health treatment practices from colonial times up through today’s modern facilities providing care across America’s states (e.g., Pennsylvania).
One more infamous location is Pennhurst State School and Hospital located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which opened its doors back in 1908 as an institution for people with intellectual disabilities; however after years of neglect resulted in poor living conditions including overcrowding leading to maltreatment seen as abuse towards both residents and employees alike.
A documentary about Pennhurst State School shed light on human rights violations happening inside where mistreatment included physical restraints like straitjackets used excessively without justification among other harsh methods employed by staff members working there while residents got no proper medical attention or care at all – something that quickly became apparent following investigations launched by authorities against alleged abuses committed within these walls before being shut down entirely during watergate scandals.
More locations exist throughout America where urbex enthusiasts can explore abandoned asylums or mental institutions including former Tuberculosis sanatoriums so they could see how tuberculosis was treated in the past. These places have been left to decay over time, but their history remains a reminder of our dark past and what we can do better for those suffering from mental illnesses today.
In conclusion, abandoned asylums and mental institutions are not just eerie and creepy buildings; they hold within them stories of mistreatment, neglect, and abuse that serve as reminders of society’s failures when it comes to caring for those who suffer from mental illness. Despite this dark history, urban explorers seek out these locations to document their beauty while also bringing attention to the need for improved treatment options for individuals with psychiatric disorders.