The Trans-Allegheny
Lunatic Asylum, which was built during the years of 1858-1881, is not only
the largest masonry building in North America constructed of hand-cut stones, it
is also reported to be one of the most haunted places throughout the entire
world. Since the initiation of the construction efforts on this immense
structure, many strange and unusual events have transpired – many involving the
staff and residents of the facility and others seemingly involving something
more dark and sinister. Throughout this guide, you will be introduced to the
comprehensive history and the haunted
stories surrounding the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (also known as the Weston State
Hospital). If you have a passion for the paranormal and a high level of
appreciation for history, continue reading to learn about the mystery and mayhem
that surrounds this once immensely popular home for the maniacal.
The Dilemma of the
Deranged and Demented
In the earliest days of our history, those that displayed
unusual, bizarre, and socially deemed “abnormal” behaviors were believed to be
possessed by demons and other types of malevolent entities. Many were accused of being witches.
In the days of antiquity, many believed that the deranged and demented were given
their mental disorders from the gods. Mental illness has been stigmatized and
misunderstood for hundreds of years. As a result of these misunderstandings and
labels, the people of Colonial America often treated the deranged and demented
in extremely barbaric ways.
Originally, Individuals that were identified as being insane
were placed into
prisons. It was not at all uncommon to find those suffering from mental
illnesses to be stripped of their clothing and chained to walls – even in the
worse of weather conditions. As a result of being abandoned and forced to live
like an animal, it was commonplace to find such people covered in debris and
filth. Families that took on the responsibility of those with mental illnesses
often hid them away in harsh, cruel environments. It was common belief that the
deranged and demented should be extricated from society. In the 1770s,
facilities started to emerge that provided housing to the mentally ill;
however, these facilities did not focus on helping the sufferer. At that time,
insanity was considered to be an incurable condition.
Time for a Change
By the time that the 1800s arrived, the lives of those that
were considered to be legally insane were detrimentally impacted by societal
beliefs and standards regarding mental illness. The situation was dire. Certain
individuals were sympathetic to the deranged and demented and called attention
to their barbaric
treatment in order to urge society, as a whole, to support better
treatments for those people. These individuals worked diligently to convince
the lawmakers of the time that they should dedicate their time, money, and
other resources to ensuring that the deranged and demented were provided with
humane care and treatment. Two individuals, in particular, that had a strong
role in encouraging better care for the insane were Dorothea Dix and Thomas
Kirkbride.
Dorothea Dix
Dorothea Dix was considered to be a highly passionate individual
when it came to the care and consideration of others. She was a nurse and a
teacher; however, in her later years, she was identified as being a social
reformer. She committed herself and her time to improving how the mentally ill
were treated during the period of the 19th century. In the year of
1841, Dorothea was provided with the opportunity to visit a jail. It was
located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During her walkthrough, she witnessed many
displays of inconsideration. She saw mentally ill people chained to the dark,
cold stone-created walls within the cells. She noticed that there was no heat. She
witnessed the lost, empty looks of those inappropriately placed in a structure
designed for criminals.
Once she experienced the environment of that jail and saw
the horrors that lingered behind the stone structure, she committed to give
everything she had in order to encourage more humane care and treatments for
the deranged and demented. Once the Legislature of Massachusetts heard of the
ordeal, she was granted funds to aid in optimizing the conditions that she saw.
Then, she branched out. She went to numerous other states. Once she saw that
all were similar, she traveled overseas to both Europe and Asia. She faced many
challenges in her mission; however, she never lost hope. In New Jersey in the
year of 1848, the very first state hospital designed to house and help the
mentally ill opened its doors as a result of Dorothea’s work. Throughout her
journey she worked closely with Thomas Kirkbride. Finally, Dorothea Dix became
so mentally and physically worn that she admitted herself to this hospital in
Trenton, New Jersey in 1881. Dorothea resided there until her death in the year
of 1887.
Thomas Kirkbride
Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride developed a broad appreciation
and a solid level of empathy for the deranged and demented during his lifetime.
In the year of 1840, he became the superintendent of the Pennsylvania Hospital
for the Insane. Prior to accepting this position, he has undergone training and
had gained experience at both Friends’ Asylum and the Pennsylvania Hospital.
Not only did this training and experience aid in qualifying Dr. Kirkbride for
the position, but, it was enough to motivate him to become passionate over the
mentally ill, their care and treatment, and their overall well-being.
Dr. Thomas Kirkbride served as one of the founders of the
Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane
or “AMSAII”. Eventually, he would also gain the honor of serving as the
President of the American Psychiatric Association. His experiences led to the
development of a standard method of constructing mental asylums across the
nation and encouraged a new form of treatment for the
mentally ill. This construction method was known as the Kirkbride Plan. The
Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum was built based on this construction model. In
fact, several institutions were built based on this construction model.
Examples include Athens State Hospital, the Danvers State Hospital, and the
Hudson River State Hospital.
The Kirkbride Plan
The 19th century resulted in a high level of
state-sponsored treatment activities for the mentally ill within the United
States. During this period of time, it was not at all to observe multitudes of
people with mental illnesses. This seemed to stem from the fast-growing
populations and the amount of strain placed on the American people. Dr. Thomas
Kirkbride was a highly influential advocate of the humane asylum system because
they were based on the highly-revered tenets associated with Moral Treatment. It
was his belief that all asylums should be an area where there was a high level
of activity among patients, that patients were secluded from common causes of
their illness, and that they were provided with medical therapy; however, he
continued in stating that a certain type of building design could, potentially,
optimize the health of those considered to be deranged or demented.
The Kirkbride Plan includes a very specific structural-based
design. That is, that the unit should have a central building for
administration. On the right and left side of the main administration building,
there should be two wings of housing units, which would comprised of different
tiered wards. Men and women would be housed in separate wings. Additionally,
patients would be housed with those that had similar issues. Furthermore, the
Kirkbride Plan called for each area of the asylum to have a large amount of
fresh air and natural light. Additionally, the patients would be able to see
outdoors, regardless of where they were placed within the facility. In the end,
the Kirkbride Plan seemed to lack effectiveness; however, the haunted
Trans-Alleghany Lunatic
Asylum still stands today, along with other facilities designed in this
manner. While not effective, you can certainly see the thought processes of Dr.
Thomas Kirkbride and why he thought it would be a positive and productive
treatment approach for the mentally ill. In the end, a building was found to
lack the ability to cure; however, the design definitely considers the comfort
of the patient.
Hauntings
Throughout the history of the structure, many stories abound
regarding the possibility of ghosts and spirits wandering the hall of this old
lunatic asylum. The following outlines some of the creepy tales that are
currently in circulation:
·
Many have
claimed that they have been pushed on the first floor of the structure. For
many, it was only a small push; for others, it was an immense push right into
the walls that line the dark, creepy halls of the haunted
hospital.
·
As you
walk down the hall of the first floor, you may hear a whistle sound. Could this
be a tic or a sound from the soul of a previous patient of the facility?
·
When the
haunted hospital served as a home for the deranged and demented, a patient
named Ruth resided on the first floor. Rumor has it that she was extremely
cantankerous and had a violent streak. While strapped securely into a
wheelchair, she would often scream obscenities of those that walked the halls –
be it staff, visitors, or patients. Today, many claim to hear Ruth. There are
some that believe that her negative energy abounds through the first floor.
Many that have been pushed violently on the first floor feel that Ruth is to
blame. It is believed that a previous caretaker provoked the spirit of Ruth by
daring her to come out. At the time, the caretaker was showing her daughter
around the facility. Just as they decided to move on, the caretaker named Sue
was pushed up against the wall by an unknown force as her daughter watched on.
·
On the
second floor, numerous fights, murders, and suicides have taken place. Not only
have shadow figures been observed in this area, but, recordings from the area
have caught an unknown voice saying, “Get Out!”
·
It is not
at all uncommon for some to hear their name ring out from the shadows within
the structure.
·
The third
floor of the
haunted hospital is where the nurses were stationed and lived. Here,
apparitions of nurses and shadowy figures may be observed.
·
Disembodied
screams and cries may be heard throughout the entire Trans-Alleghany Lunatic
Asylum; however, most reports stem from the geriatric unit.
·
Footsteps
from an unknown source are commonly reported throughout the old Weston State
Hospital.
·
The third
floor is rumored to be the spiritual haunting grounds of spirits referred to as
Dean (who was murdered at Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum), Nurse Elizabeth, and
old Big Jim.
·
According
to those that research signs of paranormal activity, the fourth floor of the
Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum seems to be the most mystifying and spooky of
all locations. Here, you may encounter and get the priviledge of communicating
with the ghost named Lily. A dark, shadowy blob has been observed. When
inquiring of a SB-7 Ghost Box of the identity of the blob, it responded with “demon”.
Additionally, there is a very odd spirit that seemingly crawls along the floor.
Finally, it is common to hear a banging noise – like that of banging on pipes.
Conclusion
There are a multitude of hauntings that are said to occur at
the Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum. Today, the facility offers a large variety
of tours. Many focus on the history of the structure, while others focus on
the signs of paranormal activity that seem to abound in and around the building.
Regardless of when you choose to visit this haunted hospital or what type of
tour you elect to take, you will walk away knowing that more than just the
physical bodies abound in and around the building. You will witness – whether visually,
audibly, or both – the sounds emitted from the spirit world. You will know that
the stories of the signs of paranormal activity are real at Trans-Alleghany
Lunatic Asylum. To view the tours that are currently available, you may visit
the following link: http://trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/
