Pediment

Heh... ...Belchertown...

Place looked more like a Jail then a school .

Thank you Motts!

Thanks, Motts....

Thank you, Motts :-) Your photos are amazing!

Yes, pediment indeed!! Look at the flowers and the fluffy clouds. Wow!!

that the theater building or one of hte ones you didn't photograph?

thank you Motts!

Another great lesson in the amazing art of decay. Thank you, Motts.

Ta Motts, yet another fine collection of pics!

I'm really glad you posted the belchertown pictures. :] There are so many stories about this place flying around western mass. It's crazy.

I lived on Federal street, right around the corner from the school back in the late 80's and early 90's. A lot of the residents were moved into local apartment buildings when the school was closed. One of them lived across the hall from me and we became good friends. I often wonder what she is doing now..

Motts, I'd like to see the rest of the place if you ever plan on going back. The breathing difficulties and discomfort might make for extremely interesting photos. I'd love to see if the discomfort shows in your photos.

Assuming you survive, that is. But yes, we want you to suffer for your art.

Excuse me, that's for OUR art. ;-)

The school shut down the year before I moved to the area. Local papers published Belchertown school horror stories thoughout the 1990s. It was pretty nasty. It did not garner as much attention as Northampton State Hospital, but it was pretty notorious.

Back in the 70's, when BSS was open, this building was known as the School Building. On the weekends, they'd have dances there. Usually they'd play records, but sometimes there were live bands. One I remember was called the Blue Max. Despite all the horror stories, those dances were fun; every single person was a true character and the dances were wild. It''s strange to see the building all boarded up and decaying, and all those people gone, all those memories fading away or vanished...

I wonder if any patients moved to Monson?
My wife worked at Monson State School for a while until we moved out of state in 97.

To Alex: Belchertown was named for the colonial-era MA governor, Jonathan Belcher. The town's original name was Crystal Springs, but supposedly the governor was annoyed that it wasn't named for him; hence the name change. And to Bob: As BSS slowly closed down the vast majority of its population went into group homes. Perhaps some of the more challenged/challenging people did go to other state institutions, like Monson.

One other thing about "Belchertown"- I grew up there and always knew it's name was a joke for many, but actually it means "good cheer". Bel (good) and cher (cheer). Also, that camp someone mentioned is behind G Building and not a long walk at all... if it's still there!

Another beautiful gallery. I've travelled to a few places myself, including NoHo and an area close to it. I want to go to Monson, but it's very hard to find information on the area. We had travelled there before (mind you its extremely hard to find...) and turns out it was still open! =O

Anyways, at one point we almost went up a road that read "Not maintained, proceed at your own risk". I believe this is where the abandoned area of the hospital is. Does anyone have any suggestions or knowledge as to the hospital and if in fact its up that dangerous steep road?

Hay MAy, E_mail me for info on Monson.
koiman78@yahoo.com

well done... I went to school in one of the dormitories when they used a few of them until the new school was up and running... I still live in Belchertown and drive through the grounds on a regular basis... it truely is amazing

There is a book called "I Raise My Eyes To Say Yes", by Ruth Sienkiewicz, which was written by a woman with cerebral palsy who lived at the Infirmary at Belchertown State School. It's worth reading, especially if you ever wonder about what life was like for those people leaving all those wheelchairs behind. I know Michael D'Antonio's book, "The State Boys Rebellion", has been mentioned elsewhere on this site. It's well worth reading and is available cheaply from the huga and diverse cut-outs/remainders catalog from Edward R. Hamilton Books.

I worked at Belchertown State School from 1982 unti 1990. One of the jobs I held was the mistreatment investigator. Therefore I know first hand of the wrong doings there. However overall the residents were well cared for by loving staff who became very attached. I frequently wonder about several residents I became close to. The grounds were beautiful although the buildings were old then. It's sad to see them in such neglect.

Someone in the forum asked what had happened to the merry-go-round. It is now in Holyoke, at, I believe, the Heritage Park and it is still used. I used to take people to ride it at Belchertown all the time. You could ride it all day if you chose to and sometimes we'd be on it for a few hours at a time. They didn't play merry-go-round music, but did play 70's rock. It was very relaxing. And it was great to be getting paid for riding a merry-go-round!

My aunt, uncle & cousins live up in Belchertown...hmmm, maybe I'll have to pay them a visit & try to check this place out!

The carousel at Heritage State Park is the one that used to be in the now-defunct Mountain Park, also in Holyoke. That park closed in the late 1980s when Riverside began expanding, and has since been subject to demolition and several fires.

More on the carousel...http://www.holyokemerrygoround.org/

Hi Kitty- Perhaps over the years merry-go-rounds got moved around, but I know the Belchertown State School carousel moved from there to Holyoke. At the time (the 70's, I believe) it made the news because the carousel had some historical value and there was pressure to find it a home and not see it lost. I remember Mountain Park too and have been there long ago. perhaps there are two carousels? Or the BSS one is now elsewhere? I'll try to research it.

OK, I was partially mistaken. I called a friend who knows about the carousel and she told me that originally the town of Belchertown wanted to buy it, but could not raise the funds. The State then auctioned it off and it was bought by a Holyoke man who originally planned to repair it, then resell it to the Holyoke Heritage Park committee.This fell through and the owner decided to dismantle it and sell the individual horses/swans/ etc. to private collectors. I did a quick search to see what I could find and found this interesting reference. Sadly, I wish I had been right; the carousel almost made it to Heritage Park in one piece, but now no longer exists. Thanks for the up-to-date info, Kitty. http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~plalli/posters

No problem Isabeats; the only reason I thought of it was because I went with my nephew last week! Pity about the BSS one though, I love antique carousels!

This building is still so beautiful. I love hearing stories from those who worked there.

Mary Ellen- I would love to get the chance to talk to you!

Funny that you guys mention the carousel... that was the reason i went to see BSS this weekend. My dad volunteered on the carousel in 1964 and 1965. He said that many of the children seemed really happy... he would ask them who their favorite Beatle was, and that would always get them talking. He also said that the Beatles was about the onlyt music that the man who ran the carousel would play.
when i sent there, as you know the carousel is gone. the building is still there on top of a small hill, but now used to something else. there is a fence around it and security cameras... so i didnt get too close.

The carousel is still on the property - http://www.visceralaxi...t/images/btown75.jpg

from http://www.visceralaxis.net/belchertown.html

CM- Where did you come across that site??? I've never found it and I've looked a lot. I recognize quite a few of the locations. Those large, white buildings were the "cottages". where higher-functioning people lived. There were 9 of them and they were referred to as Cottage 1, Cottage 2, etc. That big concrete bridge-like thing used to be used by trains delivering coal to BSS. It was sad to see the shell of the merry-go-round- i spent a lot of time riding that as part of my job.

Isabeats - I've really enjoyed reading your comments, as I've made several trips into BSS (though my pics are nowhere NEAR as good as Motts'!) I like hearing both fact seperated from rumor, as well as your personal memories. Thank you for sharing, please continue to do so!

Motts - you have a true talent! You see things as only the soul of an artist can. Are you a professional photographer, or is this just a hobby?

Dark Angel- Sorry but I don't believe in sharing. My motto is "Cursed are the generous for they shall be bled dry."
Just kidding! Actually, I plan to go through all the Visceral Axis BSS photos and write comments about each individual photo (the ones I recognize anyway), which I'll probably post over in the Belchertown thread in the "Current Events" forum. Hopefully, I'll do that within a week, if you or anyone wats to check it out. By the way, someone emailed me today, saying how they strolled around the grounds and how interesting it was. They didn't say one word about problems with security. They simply took a leisurely walk!

Hey Motts, I stopped by this place yesterday with a friend for a little looky. The layout of the campus is pretty random. We weren't able to get into this theatre building, but one door was unlocked which contained random wheelchairs, misc. documents and lots of tepid air and peeling paint. Quite a freeky place if you ask me. I hope you can make it back for more pictures.

um yeah im a 15 year old kid i live in belchertown and you only got 1/100 oh the best stuff there so many building and not all are bland you shoud really get some pics of the merry go round or the power plant has a great view of mountains on the roof and many of the side building soon there is a resort thingy that they wanna build and they are soon going to to be take things down so you should really try and get back here soon and get into the other building

and the merry go round is only half gone it is still partially in the small metal build on a hill they try to make some money by selling of the animal thingy but then that idea crashed and burned so its still partially in there but its harder to get in the build now they built a garden supply build and PVTA built a new building so the merry go round is int he middle almost of the two [removed entry information]

Motts The Urban Warrior. You got to go back to the Buffalo Central Terminal. It is alot better than the last time you went.

I worked at BSS from 1970 til 1984. When I first started working there, there were over 1500 residents and less than 500 staff for 24 hour care 365 days out of the year. When I left in '84', there were less than 500 residents and over 1500 staff. I am proud to have been part of the process that set these people free.

HEY THATS ONE OF THE BUILDING THAT BELONGS TO THE STATE SCHOOL. MY AUNT WORKED AT ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS.I THINK IT WAS THIS BUILDING

i love riding around on my bike and looking in the building, though scary. they have a bowling ally a huge kitchen the theatre and a bunch of bedrooms, with old old sscary underground tunnels leading everywhere

i was just on the grounds today and it was freaky me and some friends went into the theater and down to the basketball court then we went into some hospital like building it was really freaky you start thinkin there's people in there watchin you but FYI never go in those buildings alone or without flashlights

does anyone know where i can find a map of the place?

I just found out that one of my relatives (who passed away this week) was incarcerated in this place. She was placed in here because of brain damage caused by blunt force trauma. Since I am the unoffical family historian my brother sent me her obit . I am now researching her life. I was aware that in the "old days" children were some times placed in orpahanges or state hospitals for reasons that today would constitute child abuse.
Seeing these pictures of BSS , and knowing that the people in this place were treated the way they were distresses me. But I am sure she is in a far better place now.
BTW.. If that merry-go round is in fact the same one that now is Heritage park in Holyoke then I am very glad I helped to save it. She might have even ridden on it.

My aunt worked in that very building. I showed her this set and she went bonkers, you made her very happy motts, she said seeing the pictures brought back a lot of memories.

What great pics! I worked there (obviously at a different business) until just recently and besides the building I worked in and the tunnel connected to that building I never had a chance to do other exploring, besides walking the grounds. I have some pics of the inside of the power supply building but all they show is water and mold (it's condemmed and very apparent why). While working there I remember a few different times that kids had explored the grounds and showed me some interesting finds: spoons, dentures, etc... Again - great pics!!

To answer one of the post Monson is still up and running. The easiest way to find it is [Admin edit - no directions, please]

this was my favorite building to go into this one was definetly haunted me and my uncle were followed by some kind of presence

mmm. mold. looking at these pictures reminds me of the smell of the nold i smelt when i went there.

i live right next to it and have fun raiding buildings

my mother used to work there, says that they did alot of horrible things to the pacients

I was just there today-it is really a site to see in the fall...i really suggest it to anyone who is interested in this place!

hey everyone! i live in Belchertwon and i ve been in the state schools..there so sketchy! i have heard things even in mid day. but you cant be in them for too long cuz theres risk of getting cancer!

I worked 3rd shift as an Attendant for about three years ( 65' - 69'). Primarily I worked in K Bldg. I never knew of any patient going to a classroom or the theater. Over those three years I never even heard of the Theater. I spent some time assigned to each building and they were overcrowded and inhumane. None of the "residents" that I knew ever had access to such opportunities.

My brother was a patient in 1964 until I don't know when he was released... My brother was a big family secret, and he was never spoken about since placed in the home.... I since have found his where abouts and am in touch with him today... He is 46 now and I am 47... Since we reunited in 1989 we have had a good brother, sister relationship, but I never ask about his stay in the belchertown state school.... If anyone could help me this quest, and maybe shed some light on the situation I would appreciate it alot....My brothers name is Daniel Lee Ricard and he was placed in 1965 or 64.... I know that he was 4 years old...He had cerebal paulsy .....I would welcome any info.....My e-mail address is Sevenholes45@yahoo.com awaiting a response This note is for GTG 65-69 Please contact me if at all possible

i actually live in b town and have been in every building email me of a building you want and i can grab a pic of them

Dillonwrx@hotmail.com

The status says abandoned but it is being demolished so could someone change it?

im looking into the back ground and I would love to hear more about the what it was like. So please anyone whats to look me up and share me there storiess elyman222@yahoo.com

Yea i've lived in Belchertown my whole life and was born the year the stateschools closed. both my parents worked there when they were open. my mom said that she just did janitorial work in the blind and deaf wards but my dad said that he worked in k building which is supposedly one of the worst buildings there he also said that he saw some pretty brutal things happen there, things that still haunt him today.

Today I went to Belchertown State School to check it out... I have a big interest in abandoned mental hospitals such as this. I've only seen the outside of this one and Northampton, I'd love to go inside like you have...how do you get in and get away with it?? Another thing - this pic you have "pediment" .. I took the same picture on my phone, exact same angle and everything, when I came to this site and saw such a resemblence I got chills ^_^ Quite exciting.

I live in Belchertown. I know the State School. You could have taken LOTS more pics than what you did. Most likely, the Police removed you from the property, and you don't want to admit that. Had you gone through the proper "Channels", you would have gotten many more pics.

You people didn't even see the worst building of that place. It was across the street from the "Main" hospital. It was a four story "Federal" style house/building that they kept the worst mental & Aggressive "members" in.. It was burned down in a "Fire Department Training Exersize" many years ago. My thoughts about it ? The Town didn't want anyone knowing what horrors actually occured there. Burn it down, call it an "Exersixe" for the Fire Departmant........no way to find evidence of what happened there. Btw, that's the ONLY building that was burned down.

Ive been there, these photos do not justify that compounds overall creepiness.. there are underground tunnels that connect everything try going in there :O

To all of the people giving Motts crap for not exploring the rest of BSS, have you even looked at the rest of his site? While you all post stories of your explorations here like you're the shit, he continues to expand upon what I think is the most comprehensive collection of abandoned facilities ever. Yes, I've been to BSS as well and not for the "creepy" thrill you all love to mention to make you sound brave. It's a very solemn space that deserves the utmost respect and the way you all describe your "visits" makes me sick. I have a feeling that even if many of you read the history you'd still have the same ignorant perception. Get a life.

did they evr think that taps could help. My mom was there for a girl named Ruthie and my ant got attacked by some nut case. Taps could help with eny un told qustions

I did some research and back in 2006 the state sold the property to lcc holding co. in Chicago ILL. for the sum of ten dollars. so Why in 2007 did the state appropriate over a million dollars for an environmental cleanup supposedly asbestose removal. so why is there still asbestos everywhere there? Where did the money go?

I worked there for many years and all of the stories are CRAP..............These clients were well taken care of and if they even had the sniffles, nursing and even a doctor were on grounds.....The old morgue is in the old hospital building, look for a building that has 1 green door on the back of it, that would be the rear entrance to the morgue.....all it is is 2 old refrridgeration slabs.......The carousel was sold in parts, is NOT in Holyoke.......There was NEVER any 4 story buildings........K building closed in the early 70's.....The old farm house was burned down by arson in the mid nineties by , punk kids.....Paint Shop building was recently hit by arson....The "Theater" building was the school building , which the roof is caving in and most pics are from

i lived in belchertown when i was growing up and i went to after-kindergarten club in a building on the grounds of BSS. as someone else noted it's perfectly legal and not discouraged to walk around the grounds: few of the buildings are even fenced in, though they're all boarded up. when i was a kid i remember we used to go for walks around the grounds. i think it had been closed for no more than five years then. i remember going up to one of the buildings and looking in the window and it was as if everything was frozen: all the posters were still hanging up, drawings, people's names, and there was a wheelchair just sitting in the middle of the floor, as if someone had gotten up and left. i'll never forget that!
i went back today with my friend and we walked around totally undisturbed for about a half hour. people walk their dogs and stroll around there all the time. almost all the buildings are still standing and the ones closest to the road - the theater one, the one with the clock tower, and a few others - are in great condition; the ones nearer the back are really vandalized but still really pretty, especially in the springtime.
i don't believe the town of belchertown has the money or motivation at this juncture to tear down BSS. but we'll see.

went there today and i am tottaly shocked of whats in there! didnt know it was tht big even though i live 2 minutes away! thanks motts!

I go there every few weeks with friends. they are starting to crack down on that place. police are in there more often becuz idiots dont just search the building they want to destroy it and ruin it for the people who want to just look around. but its really crazy in there. everything is just demolished and decayed. Northampton State Hospital is awesome too, there is still a few buildings that are accesible. there is one way in the back across the street from where the main hospital was. the NSH is better to go to, a little more creepier

Zigzag man! i was there yesterday, all the buildings are boarded up, except the theater and 2 other buildings. we got stopped by "security" but since we were mature and not kids they were fine about it. all they did was warn us of asbestos. we had backpacks, tripods, etc.

so...roll another "zigzag" or go on a green peace march or something

my father is 79 yrs old and still having nightmares of the abuse he suffered at bss from whom were never prosicuted! i say tear it down and put a memorial for those who suffered and died at that horrible place.

~bitter~