Pennhurst State School and Hospital

Pennhurst, which sits on the border of both Chester and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, was an institution for both the mentally and physically disabled . Pennhurst opened in 1908 with high hopes of helping disabled youths throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. However, Pennhurst’s seemingly good intentions became questioned starting in the seventies when rumors of physical and sexual abuse arose.

Creation and Purpose

Pennhurst was constructed and opened in 1908 as a state school for the mentally and physically disabled. Pennhurst’s property was vast and consisted of a 1,400 acre site. Created to house 3,500 patients at a time, Pennhurst was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Pennsylvania. Half of the residents were committed to Pennhurst by a court order and the other half were brought by a parent or other guardian. It was devoted strictly to the care, treatment and education of the disabled who’s parents resided in Montgomery, Chester, and the surrounding counties.

Staff

Pennhurst consisted of a large amount of staff to help assist in maintaining the facility. This staff included, a board of trustees, medical staff, dental staff, and specialists in psychology, social services, accounting, and various fields of education. The grounds of Pennhurst contained a hospital which had a 300 bed capacity and was maintained by a full nursing staff and two surgeons on call at all times. Also, Pennhurst was all equipted with religious clergy members and farming experts who grew most of the food consumed at Pennhurst State School.

Property and Grounds

Pennhurst’s 1,400 acre site was basically a self sufficient community. Pennhurst contained everything a small community would need such as a firehouse, general store, barber shop, and even a greenhouse. Each building of Pennhurst was named after towns in Pennsylvania such as Chester, and Devon. On the property also lay a power plant which generated all of Pennhurst’s electricity. A cemetary lay on the property as well as baseball and recreational fields for the residents. Many of Pennhurst’s buildings were strictly for storage, however the majority were dormatory and hospital style living quarters for the residents. Most of the buildings were linked by an underground tunnel system designed for transporting the handicapped with no problems.

Controversy and Closing

Pennhurst was often accusedof dehumanization and was said to have provided no help to the mentally challanged. The institution had a long history of staff difficulties and a bad image to the public. Pennhurst State School was closed in 1986 because of various allegations of abuse. The allegations caused the first lawsuit of its kind in the United States, claiming that the mentally retarded have a constitutional right to living quarters and an education. The institution was forced to close by July 1, 1986 and move its 460 current residents safely into their home communities, be transfered to another facility if needed. Pennhurst was responsible to discuss plans of treatment with each of it’s patients families to decide what would be the best for the patient. The court case that started a whirlwind of allegations is called Pennhurst State School and Hosptial vs. Halderman. Terry Lee Halderman, was a minor resident of the school, and upon release she filed suit in the district court on behalf of herself and all other residents of Pennhurst. The complaint alleged that the conditions at Pennhurst were unsanitary, inhumane and dangerous. The complaint argued that these living conditions violated the fourteenth amendment, and Pennhurst’s concept of cruel and unusual punishment was in violation of a citizen’s eighth and fourteenth amendment’s rights. After a 32 day trial and an immense investigation, prosecutors concluded that the conditions at Pennhurst were not only dangerous, with physical and mental abuse of its patients, but also inadequate for the care and habilitation for the mentally retarded. Also it was concluded that the physical, mental, and intellectual skills of most patients had deteriorated by the State of Pennsylvania.

Rumors of Hauntings

Many locals enjoy the thrill of visiting Pennhurst, with its vast rumors of being haunted by the spirits of the residents of Pennhurst. Some of the grounds of Pennhurst however, have been converted into a Veterans State Hospital and the grounds are now under military control. Many locals illegally venture onto Pennhurst’s grounds in hopes of a thrill; however there are few enterences that are not monitored by government officials. Pennhurst is a haven for amatuer “ghost hunters” with its many sinister attributes such as a morgue, hospital, and underground tunnel system. Local police have questioned, fined, and even arrested many thrill seekers, and trespassing on the property is not recommended.