Corner

I think the only beautiful thing about Pennhurst is the architecture of the building. Certainly nothing that went on inside it's lovely walls would be described as beautiful.

The molding around the edges is a design called Egg and Dart. We have it in the historic movie theatre here in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

It looks like most of these places had really beautiful entrance halls. It's almost like they wanted to decieve the parents and family members who dropped off thier children, etc. They wanted the family to think that they were dropping them off at a beautiful and respectable place.

I've noticed alot of these abandoned asylums and such are very pretty architecturally but the beauty has been made poisonous with all the tragedy and human misery that took place beyond these grand halls.

"I've noticed alot of these abandoned asylums and such are very pretty architecturally but the beauty has been made poisonous with all the tragedy..."

Lunar, a lot of these old buildings were, well, just built that way. It has nothing to do with "tragedy and human misery" or anything. Years ago this is how they built almost any building. I applaud Mr. M for perseving these small architectural details from the past, it is truly a lost art.

[stunned silence]

wow that is beautiful architecture!!!! I am speechless, you really do not see such beauty in many facilities these days.

I love the attention to details years ago. That is why I bought an older home. It has character to it.

Isee that yellow conduit an after thought

Beautiful. beautiful architecture!! Reminds me of a court house.

This is one of my favorite shots, the detail is phenomenal. Only an ultra high end place would be built with this kind of detail today, but back then attention like this was given to a state school. Kind of says something about the times we live in.

Beautiful shot.
If only they could have spent the same attention to the people in this building, as they did in its design and construction. Then this place might have had a different history all together.
I wonder how many people stared at the ceilings in this place and tried to forget they were there.

the intricate detail on the column is very nice.

You should have seen it before it was looted and left to rot. It was really the grandest building in Pennhurst.

The fact that the buildings were designed and built so beautifully, with a great deal of attention to detail, large windows, spacious hallways, porches, bow windows, etc., seem to me that the original intent of this instution, and perhaps others like it, were really designed and intended to provide a better environment to those who would otherwise be totally neglected by their parents and society in general.

Unfortunately, the lack of understanding by doctors and government agencies about the natuar and treatment of the patients "differences", as well as underfunding and overcrowding would naturally lead to these othewise attractive buildings becoming the places of sadness indeed.

Just imagine any new facility built within the past 50 years for such a purpose having anything except an army barracks look about it.

Motts that picture is just beautiful. I am stunned.

It almost makes me think of a Grecian or Roman shrine.

we took a picture of a corner why?

That is very nice architecture. Still beutiful and eyecatching after all these years.

Seriously. THIS corner means something. You can literally SEE the architectural elegance and significance fade with the peeling paint! If someone took a picture of a corner in a modern office, on the other hand, THAT would be boring, and have absolutely no ornamentation.

One can not be acused of "housing" these unfortunate souls in run down buildings. Yhey went all out when it came to the architecture.. it appears that no money was too much to build these fantastic facilities. II would love to have seen any and all of these hospitals, asylums etc. on their opening days.

makes me feel undeservedly small. something is pushing towards the ground.