OMG, except for Lynne and a very few others, you haven't a clue as to what went on there!!! So please, for the sake of all others that don't know the Paul A. Dever State School, don't comment! Not only are you SO extremely ignorant of the place, but it makes you sound stupid! The age group for all the children there was from birth to death. We called them children because they were all born mentally retarded, and acted as children. they had the mental capacity of a child between the ages of birth to probably 12 if they were lucky! some didn't talk or walk or see or hear. Some were immobile and others completely paralyzed. Hence the shower rooms!! Privacy wasn't an option, but the children appreciated the help because they couldn't do everyday tasks by themselves. They had to be washed, clothed, hair combed, some had to be fed by hand or tube feed. If you have ever seen a mentally handicapped person, think of what it would be like to do just the simplest things. Some were lowered my mechanical lifts into tubs, in and out of bed, lifted by hand into wheelchairs.

But these children were cared for by attendants, physical therapists, nurses and doctors. Some of the children were bedridden and others were like little kids enjoying living with others like them. There were all kinds of activities for them, the playground , and there was more than one, was filled with all the playground equipment you would see in any other playground, they went for walks, picnics, swimming, had sports and all the things kids do for fun right there on the grounds. They also walked or took public transportation into the center of the city to shop or get an ice cream or whatever they wanted on a Saturday afternoon. All was under the attention of an attendant. Today these children are older and in group homes. Some were also let out on pass to go out with their families or with people who worked there. They went to the movies, out to eat or to Christmas dinner.

There were also those who were in the hospital part of the school, like the babies or those who needed continuous nursing care. But know this,, they e cared for, had all they needed , and we're loved!

My Grandmother was an attendant and then a nurse at the school. She worked with all the babies. These babies needed 24/7 care, these babies weren't like normal healthy babies, and she always spoke about how much she loved these babies. Paul A Dever was suppose to be a good place to work we were told, if you could take working there. It isn't easy to work where you see these kinds of health issues, it can be heart breaking. So please, think before you comment....btw, these buildings weren't military buildings!!!

we used to swim in this pool every Saturday morning when I was a kid - my Dad worked at Cherry on the maintaince I can remember it being lovely and warm and it wasn't very deep I would have only been about 10 and could stand up in it. I also remeber going to summer fairs there too i particularly remmeber the coconut shy for some reason!
Cherry Knowles was a wonderfull building with fantastic architecture I love looking at these photos but it so sad to see how it's been left to decay.

Did they really leave these birds over there when the park was closed down? Can't believe it..

My grandmother was one that was wheeled beyond the ornate doors and emerged 6 years in a casket. It was long ago and she had alzheimers at a young age. Not much was knowm at that time. I will remember goeing to see her and knowing the superficiial beauty was a better show than PT Barnum could ever do. A beatiful vibrant women entered. A withered shell emerged.

That is not a B3. I learned to play on a B3 and it only had a single octave of foot pedals. A B3 would not be worth more than $100- The B3 has an internal speaker but it is not powerful. It needs the Leslie to project

Reminds me of those old steak or beef platters! Yuck!!!

have you ever been in any buildings that have aspestos?
that would be my constant fear.

Those were awesome!!! You should use models more often! =D

Uh, York still makes AC units.

i have neve felt so bad as i did when i walked these hallways and passages