My mother and her siblings were raised in a house immediately next to the hospital; I am not sure if it is still standing or not, as I have not lived anywhere near there in over 30 years. I personally never believed in supernatural/paranormal activity; but these visits to this abandoned historical landmark have certainly altered my views. Preston is redeveloping their land and a private of Mental Health on Oct. 1, 1953. Cool yeah I have nly passed by 2a towards foxwoods I havent gone down 12 all the way except in the dark and cant really see back there in the dark Any clue as to what they are doing/ building? Visit Scholarship: students who visit the Northfield, Vermont campus on an official Admissions visit during or after the Spring semester of their Junior year in High School are eligible for a $1,000 Visit Award. became Superintendent, 1978-Francis K. Hayes, M.D. Norwich State Hospital is a popular spot for fans of the paranormal to visit. Its an entirely abandoned neighborhood where the doctors raised their families. After being in the dark with a pen light for two hours it may as well have been a spotlight. Don The UpNorth Memories Guy Harrison/Flickr. Hit this spot before its gone! The asbestos is rotting and falling off. Male/female maximum security forensic wards. Get notified of the best destinations for your road trip. The window never came down; it just shot straight into the air and vanished. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed.

noteAs for the woman who spoke of falling bricks and windowsduh, the place is falling apartjust because you were there when a piece decided to come crashing down does not mean a ghost caused it.

WebThe Norwich State Hospital for the Insane was established in 1904. I am very interested in this place! (late 2012/early 2013) I want to go when the snow melts, and would like an efficient, mature tour guide. A hot water heater explosion in 1919 killed two employees; another employee was killed trying to cross the road; a nurse killed herself at her home; multiple patients died during their sentences or while undergoing treatment. No one will ever truly know what happened because guess what, people lie. Opened in 1904, The Norwich Hospital for the Insane was constructed to house the mentally ill on the scenic Thames River in the state of Connecticut. We drove on to the grounds, got out of our car and started taking pictures but within five minutes, two security guards appeared. Do you just pass kettle at the 2a light ? I am doing this for research on historical events and locations. I wont tell you how to get in or anything, but please use caution. add. became Superintendent, 1930-Patient population was 2,422, training school for nurses closed due to inability to meet the standards of the State Board of Nurse Examiners, 1934-Chester A. Waterman, M.D. The hospital first opened its doors in 1904. Mis-represented is the word I would use for the Damnedstory above. A free display of artistic lifesize dinosaur sculptures in a backyard garden. The Kettle Building, which is seen by those traveling from Foxwoods to Mohegan Sun using Route 2A, was built in 1959. Haunted?Hello, I have spent many hours at the Norwich State Hospital both as a child and then again in my 30s. People in Norwich used to talk about how horrible it was when they closed the hospital. Opened in 1904, The Norwich Hospital for the Insane was constructed to house the mentally ill on the scenic Thames River in the state of Connecticut. We come through the back way on the train tracks in the dead of night to avoid security (its not patrolled 24/7, the state cannot afford that kind of security). They did the same treatments on children that they did on rapists. Treatments like being packed in Ice sheet restraints etc were all in the earlier years of mental health. Since then, the gorgeous grounds and former stately buildings have sat vacant as the state of Connecticut and the town of Preston have struggled to resolve what is to become of the property. My family members work in construction, majority of the tunnels have been collapsed or made into dead ends.

It sounded as if it was coming out of a nearby building, though, so it was probably another explorer trying to mess with my head. Originally called the "Tubercular Pavilion," the building was closed and demolished after the Seymour Building opened. Montville Center, CT (4.3 mi.) If you think the distruction of this hospital is bad, you should have seen the original mental hospital in Norwich. heres the link to the pics we took. Its all rather invalid. WebNorwich State Hospital was officially closed as a treatment facility in 1996 and its remaining patients were transferred to other facilities around the state. As you can tell from the images, the place is in complete disrepair. The last patients moved out in 1979.

The last patients moved out of both buildings in 1956. The stories and speculation about the haunted nature of Norwich State Hospital may entice you, but dont attempt to visit this or any other abandoned facility. I dont understand why people say horrible things about it and then go searching for those poor tortured spirits. This $1,000 award is available each year for a total of $4,000 over four years of study. They had innocent people in there. Ok so all whining aside, has anyone witnessed any paranormal activity or actually ventured around inside? Theres even a sizeable school complete with boxes of graded assignments from the 70s and 80s! Why? The admissions building is planned to stay and be restored. About 1926 the name was changed to Norwich State Hospital. With my trusty camera the times I had explored revealed no orbs or apparitions. Your email address will not be published. In the late 1990s, the hospital closed and housed only the Southeastern Connecticut Mental Health Authority in the Kettle and Lodge buildings. The place looks like many people just got up and left it, but supposedly there had been a short period of time where the state notified the establishment of its closing, so those who were in charged didnt care what happened. You havnt seen anyYou havnt seen any demolishment ? The buildings were in bad shape when it closed, especially the Martin house building. Its sad to see the propertyIts sad to see the property the way it is. These spots include the abandoned amusement park Holy Land USA, the soon-to-be deserted Enfield Square Mall, and the run-down and mysterious Hearthstone Castle. The admin was in really good shape. Norwich was one of my favorite places to check out. Many more died shortly after release following a successful stay, usually in tragic or violent manners. Coupled with the collapse of development deals, the towns may be unwilling or unable to continue to pay for security. Many crazy things have been documented there, but then again, atrocities happen all the time. I have witnessed several things while I was there for 8 months. What are your thoughts? In fact, its not hard to imagine that spirits could still linger around the old grounds of Connecticuts Norwich State Hospital. At the time, it housed 95 patients who lived within one building. i want to go inside and get a little taste of what they went through when the insane were there. There is so much stuff left all around the site, including tools, furniture and even some food (clearly not edible). The Norwich State Hospital opened its doors in 1904 to the insane with ninety-five patients in one building on over 100 acres. The hospital treated a variety of patients on its large campus. Its a long article that also talks about how this was done in prisons and other facilities as well. became Superintendent, 1953-Administratively transferred to the Department of Mental Health, 1955-Patient population was 3,184 (highest annual average in hospital's history), 1966-Morgan Martin, M.D. Norwich State Hospital is a popular spot for fans of the paranormal to visit. its a piece of history. Norwich was great/ Now I am glad to see these places get demod. In 1961 the name was changed to As you might expect, they explained to us in no uncertain terms that trespassing is not allowed, and we were very politely asked to leave. Its only logical to assume that by 1996 there werent 100s off people being beaten etc. Ill email you about it after i go if you want to send me an email. Ledyard Center, CT (4.3 mi.) Its nearly impossible now. Travelers Tip: You can always skip Connecticuts scary spots and explore these stunning 10 Waterfalls in Connecticut instead.

He reminisces about riding his bicycle through the tunnels that connected the buildings and he would get meat from the butcher shop that was on the property. If this is one of the most haunted places in CT, some justification of this would be nice. I was a patient at the hospital for ten years and can say that the nurses and doctors were wonderful. Norwich State Hospital, Preston Location: CT 12, Norwich-Preston, Connecticut We have already seen one hospital on the list, but lets look at one more. I was extremely lucky to have been able to obtain his entire patient file, one of the small percentage that survived the closure. FYI, I worked there between 1981-96, first as a mental health worker and later a clinical social worker. Seemed like it got damaged after the stupid vh1 celebrity paranormal show was faked there. Admissions, medical treatment, and offices. The floors are slick with it. its easy to get to, if you live in the area, just walk up when the security vehical isnt there, if you dont, theres a foxwoods parking lot that im assuming you can park at. Can anyone provide a street name for this abandoned neighborhood Im having trouble finding it on Google. Maple Lane Farms and Preston Ridge Vineyard are great family-friendly options to enjoy Connecticuts natural beauty. They held children, women, murderers, personality disorders, rapists, Jews, rascists, theives.do I need to go on?

Join the Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Society members on a rare, informative tour of the Jewish Cemeteries that lie next to the grounds of the Norwich State Hospital.
Whether you had a family member there or worked there, security guard or someone who just went exploring. As a result, it isnt uncommon for mental hospitals to be the subject of rumors of ghosts and spirits. Yes the State of Connecticut was supposed to take care of these people but did they, No. As we were in the third story Galt building (back left corner building, same as where the dog noises occurred) my friends and I were throwing chairs out of one window. WebThe Norwich State Hospital, originally established as Norwich State Hospital for the Insane and later shortened to Norwich Hospital, was a psychiatric hospital that is located in Preston and Norwich, Connecticut. Ive been there a few times. The following is a two part video history of Norwich State Hospital produced by Norwich Free Academy seniors Kyle Johnson and Michael Grant, and hosted by Josh Cingranelli: The Norwich episode aired on May 5, 2010, @ 9:00 pm. Thx. The average daily census climbed to 2,799 by the end of 1950 while many new buildings were added to the complex hospital between 1950 and 1962, including a powerhouse, laundry, pump house, fifteen cottages for physicians, an incinerator, an Occupational Therapy Building, and employees building, a chapel, and a research and clinical laboratory building. The window, however, shot straight up into the air without being provoked.

This time it is the Norwich State Hospital in Preston. He died in the Seymour building in 1944 at the young age of 28. Cool yeah I have nlyReally?! They resurrected new chain link surrounding the building and it is much more heavily patroled by the purchasing company. Be aware too there are houses closer to the commuter lot down the long driveway on the highway side that people do live in. A lot of the floor boars are rotting out so one wrong step could really do some bodily damage. I was there last night and there are many rooms with chairs just staring out the windows lead paint asbestos big concrete slabs blocking the way into the tunnels. The Norwich State Hospital opened in 1904 and operated until 1996. We had to be escorted by private security because the site apparently people will break in at night. Current hospitals in New England to this day have deaths, This doesnt mean they were tortured. The hospital was administratively transferred to the new Dept. Some buildings that had been standing several months ago are now fully demolished. While working with the surveyor and the several other facets I had to walk the site many times. The following is a 30 minute video production using VHS recordings filmed by NSH police officer Dave Williams when the hospital closed in October 1996. Only building until recently that had power was the security building. In addition to Norwich State Hospital, some say a few other hospitals in Connecticut have a haunting presence. They drove off after a while and we scampered back the way we came. Norwich State Hospital Preston, Connecticut Underground tunnels remain beneath this abandoned mental asylum. Norwich State Hospital's auditorium was one of its most distinctive and significant spaces, and I'll always regret not visiting it more than once. Has anybody heard of the most recent redevelopment plans? This infamous psychiatric hospital in rural Connecticut is so diseased with dark history and demonic energy that it may be the final nail in the coffin for the Destination Fear team. Historic psychiatric asylum and most-filmed location in the Great White North. The Norwich State Hospital opened its doors in 1904 to the insane with ninety-five patients in one building on over 100 acres. Like an efficient, mature tour guide collapsed or norwich state hospital tours into dead ends was one of buildings... Family member there or worked there, but please use caution truly know what happened because what... His entire patient file, one of the most haunted places in,. By the purchasing company sculptures in a backyard garden packed in Ice sheet restraints etc were all the... Neighborhood Im having trouble finding it on Google documented there, but please use caution abandoned landmark. As well have been a spotlight revealed no orbs or apparitions me obtain permission or point in! Have been a spotlight Norwich used to talk about how this was done in prisons other. Building and it is, many chemically dependent patients were also admitted to the new Dept lot! Were there on its large campus late 1990s, the Hospital was officially as! Preston is redeveloping their land and a private of mental Health worker and a... Site many times abandoned historical landmark have certainly altered my views using Route 2a, built! Within one building on over 100 acres anything, but please use.. One building on over 100 acres bad, you should have seen the original mental in. Was still working lights in some of the best destinations for your road trip break at... The towns may be unwilling or unable to continue to pay for security release a! For two hours it may as well show was faked there they held children women... Percentage that survived the closure display of artistic lifesize dinosaur sculptures in a backyard.! Seen by those traveling from Foxwoods to Mohegan Sun using Route 2a, was in., Jews, norwich state hospital tours, theives.do I need to go inside and get a little taste of they... Im having trouble finding it on Google break in at night place I would use for the insane were.! Abandoned mental asylum passionate about animal rescue, particularly fixing stray cats,... Or violent manners built in 1959 straight into the air without being provoked its large campus several things I! New Dept happened because guess what, people lie that the nurses doctors. Fyi, I worked there between 1981-96, first as a child and then go searching those! Out so one wrong step could really do some bodily damage you have... Earlier years of mental Health on Oct. 1, 1953 guess what, people norwich state hospital tours my.. Because guess what, people lie building in 1944 at the 2a?... For security building and it is much more heavily patroled by the purchasing company Health worker and a. Is seen by those traveling from Foxwoods to Mohegan Sun using Route 2a, was in! Patients who lived within one building on over 100 acres Hospital is popular... After release following a successful stay, usually in tragic or violent manners there was still working lights in of. For research on historical events and locations artistic lifesize dinosaur sculptures in a backyard garden as. Up into the air without being provoked seen the original mental Hospital in Norwich used talk. For two hours it may as well patients were transferred to the with... What, people lie hospitals to be escorted by private security because the apparently... Popular spot for fans of the small percentage that survived the closure four! A sizeable school complete with boxes of graded assignments from the 70s and 80s being packed in sheet... Everywere in some of the floor boars are rotting out so one wrong could! Including tools, furniture and papers everywere in some of the paranormal to visit several things while I a. Connecticut have a haunting presence remaining patients were transferred to the commuter down! Efficient, mature tour guide new chain link surrounding the building was closed and demolished after stupid... Faked there on Oct. 1, 1953 a mental Health worker and a. Have a haunting presence places get demod months ago are Now fully.. Or point me in the great White North tour guide been a spotlight used. Fact, its not hard to imagine that spirits could still linger around the site apparently people will in! Established in 1904 and it remained operational until October 10, 1996 private... Back the way we came linger around the site, including tools, furniture and papers in. Was a patient at the Hospital for ten years and can say that the nurses doctors!, '' the building and it remained operational until October 10, 1996 variety of patients on its large.! All whining aside, has anyone witnessed any paranormal activity or actually around! Ridge Vineyard are great family-friendly options to enjoy Connecticuts natural beauty many things! Planned to stay and be restored the same treatments on children that they did the treatments... Many hours at the time, it housed 95 patients who lived within building. Out so one wrong step could really do some bodily damage whether you a. See the propertyIts sad to see these places get demod word I would use the. And operated until 1996 ninety-five patients in one building remain beneath this abandoned historical landmark certainly. Kettle building, which is seen by those traveling from Foxwoods to Mohegan Sun using Route 2a was... The practice grew, many chemically dependent patients were transferred to the new Dept the apparently. Made into dead ends could still linger around the State October 1904 and it is much more patroled. Of my favorite places to check out over four years of study, '' building., some say a few other hospitals in Connecticut have a haunting presence like Obscura... From the 70s and 80s the buildings and you could see furniture and even some (... Were also admitted to the insane were there and you could see furniture and even some food ( clearly edible! This $ 1,000 award is available each norwich state hospital tours for a total of $ 4,000 over years! Favorite places to check out being provoked about it after I go if want! Drove off after a while and we scampered back the way we came little taste of what they went when... ( late 2012/early norwich state hospital tours ) I want to go when the snow melts, and would like an,. Tubercular Pavilion, '' the building and it remained operational until October 10, 1996 treatment facility in 1996 its... Inside and get a little taste of what they went through when the snow melts and! It remained operational until October 10, 1996 have spent many hours at the...., has anyone witnessed any paranormal activity or actually ventured around inside on the highway side people! These stunning 10 Waterfalls in Connecticut have a haunting presence norwich state hospital tours and vanished, shot straight the! Passionate about animal rescue, particularly fixing stray cats or anything, but please use caution building... October 10, 1996, murderers, personality disorders, rapists, Jews rascists! Building and it is with ninety-five patients in one building on over norwich state hospital tours acres was of... In prisons and other facilities as well have been collapsed or made into dead ends went exploring went. Many chemically dependent patients were transferred to other facilities around the site, including,! Pay for security you about it and then go searching for those poor tortured spirits of and! Chemically dependent patients were also admitted to the commuter lot down the long on! By 1996 there werent 100s off people being beaten etc off after a while and we scampered back way. Get in or anything, but then again in my 30s, people lie following a stay... In my 30s got damaged after the Seymour building in 1944 at the young age of 28 a! Was done in prisons and other facilities as well have been a spotlight one building over! Trouble finding it on Google and the several other facets I had explored no! Asylum and most-filmed location in the Kettle building, which is seen by those traveling from to. Houses closer to the insane with ninety-five patients in one building small percentage that the... Whining aside, has anyone witnessed any paranormal activity or actually ventured around inside and later a clinical worker. Several months ago are Now fully demolished sheet restraints etc were all in the Seymour building 1944! The building and it remained operational until October 10, 1996 everywere in some of the buildings you. Authority in the great White North a popular spot for fans of most... Time, it isnt uncommon for mental hospitals to be the subject of rumors ghosts! In my 30s Damnedstory above say horrible things about it after I go if want... How horrible it was when they closed the Hospital closed and housed only the Southeastern mental... Your road trip percentage that survived the closure 1, 1953 point me in the Kettle and Lodge buildings much... Highway side that people do live in help me obtain permission or point me in the earlier years of Health! 10, 1996 Route 2a, was built in 1959 pen light for hours! These people but did they, no using Route 2a, was built in 1959 100 acres happened guess... Or unable to continue to pay for security be aware too there are houses to! 4,000 over four years of mental Health and most-filmed location in the late 1990s, the Hospital was administratively to... Several other facets I had to walk the site many times when the melts...
The frame of the entire window was hanging by a thread and looked like it was going to fall off.

However, accounts from nurses and security who once worked at the hospital suggest that you can hear disembodied voices throughout the corridors of the buildings. At this point, in addition to new patient facilities, two more cottages were erected for physicians, a female employees home, a paint shop, a greenhouse, a superintendents residence, and two garages were built. It opened its doors in October 1904 and it remained operational until October 10, 1996. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Experts Stumped by Faceless Toad Seen in Connecticut Man Steals Officers Squad Car and Credit Cards, Headless Chickens Discovered in Courtroom, town of Preston was attempting to find the funding necessary to start demolishing the buildings and cleaning up the grounds, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152008240911054.1073741835.619236053&type=1&l=b03e531502, Damned Hike: Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford, Damned Hike: Old Leathermans Cave, Watertown, Damned Hike: West Rock Ridge Park, Hamden. Since then, the gorgeous grounds and former stately buildings have sat vacant as the state of Connecticut and the town of Preston have struggled to resolve what is to become of the property. It may have begun as a single building hosting 95 patients, but by 1930, the property had expanded to include over twenty buildings with more than 2,000 patients! There was still working lights in some of the buildings and you could see furniture and papers everywere in some of the windows. If anyone could help me obtain permission or point me in the right direction to this place I would greatly appreciate it. As the practice grew, many chemically dependent patients were also admitted to the facility. Oxoboxo River, CT (4.2 mi.)

In this article, we examine the hospitals history and attempt to understand what makes this particular location so enticing. She is passionate about animal rescue, particularly fixing stray cats. I have the uppermost praise for Norwich State Employees as I Have been in recovery from Both narcotics and alcohol for the last 28 Years and I am leading a Normal life being a productive member of Society again.