The hospital first opened its doors in 1904 in Norwich, Connecticut. It was built in an idyllic location chosen for its therapeutic properties overlooking the River Thames.
The Norwich Insane Asylum was built isolated from civilization, which worked to its benefit as it began to grow during its early years sprouting new buildings that accompanied the original construction (see aerial view of the hospital here). These new construction projects included patient wards, staff cottages, laboratories and workshops. All of the structures were interconnected by a large network of underground utility tunnels. These tunnels transported electricity, hot water, and patients to various areas on the grounds. The hospital remained self-sufficient, almost like a small town, with its own power plant, pump house, working farm, kitchen, theater and church.
Over 3,000 patients and 1,000 employees were residents on the asylum grounds in the 1950’s.
Slowly patients began to leave Norwich State Hospital due to deinstitutionalization and it permanently closed its doors in 1996. Since then time has basically stood still on the property with a few exceptions. Currently there is talk about converting the grounds into a theme park, but nothing has been set in stone.
After a long tedious drive we leave the car in a commuter parking lot close to the buildings. Ever the vigilant group of explorers we notice a State Trooper making his rounds and dive into the forest for cover. Luckily we outsmarted the police yet again and after regrouping walk along the Thames River for a few hundred feet. We finally see the abandoned pump house looming in the distance and decide to make this our entryway into the campus.
This site has a reputation for being well guarded, well patrolled, and does not take kindly to trespassers. I am always on edge when exploring across the Atlantic and the numerous “State Property – No Trespassing” signs that litter the grounds did not bode well for my paranoia. Instead of exposing ourselves above ground to security and prying eyes, we decided to take the underground route through the utility tunnels.
Using the tunnels we explored many buildings without ever being forced to go outside. This method of travel was soon confirmed to be the safest. On our first attempt to venture outside we were only a few feet away from a security officer in a black uniform. Fortunately he didn’t look our way and we quickly receded back into the tunnel network. For a while we hid in the abandoned theater so we could look around the campus without being seen.
This encounter with security dampened our spirits and made our visit a whole lot shorter than we would have liked. We made our grande exit through the empty chapel, this allowed us to avoid walking back through the forest. As we were walking back to the commuter lot to pickup our car we noticed the State Trooper had been watching us as we suspiciously walked down the road. I wonder where we went to and were coming back from?!
Archive document introducing a new therapy (click to enlarge):
Special thanks to Dr. Bob for sharing the old postcards.
like a heart attack paul he is on 3rd an some time on 2nd tell me howe it goes ok lol
are you serious??? Danny is back over there? why did he leave the base? Id really like to bump into him sometime...please tell me your serious! please!!!
Yeah It would totally be an awesome time.. Bomb would you help us out with security?..I mean we all wanna have a good time..We could really use your expert watch-eye and Ninja-like tactics while we grill up some burgers and kick back and relax..I might be able to set you up with a blackberry ..or an Iphone with the myspace app..Catch is your limited to searching 16 and older women.. Next time ..shut your mouth when you talk to me
II thought it might be fun...get JPT out there too!!! nice spot to hang...and legal is key! Sparkles and I enjoy it there...Ill b look out and you guys can check it out inside...I been inside plenty o times! and been caught too...Trooper was very cool tho...so hopefully we can make it happen...
paul ... lol s.s.c does 2nd an 3rd an the town of preston lol does 1st so have fun an your buddy work,s 3rd mr roche have with that
Paul..this sounds like a good idea!! It would be a good time for sure to bring some grub and b.s a little. I have been on this site for over a year now..been to NSH a bunch of times..and have grown fond of many of the regulars here. Me and my dogs would defiantly be interested in hanging out with you two..Norwich is a given for me..I'm pretty random when I decide to venture off like that..Both SCC and Securitas can suck a big one..(no offense) ..lol ..I don't know how security is down there..don't really care.. Like you said..dumpsters and debris litter the place..It's coming to that point now. ..
We (sparky) did a little recon today and did not see guards anywhere...no cars atleast. dumpsters all over and more debris pushed against bldgs. I saw Securitas cars driving by but not on campus. Seaside however is wide open again and the grounds are in great shape...awesome place to chill walk the pooches and explore some...being that its legal and a cool place to chill...I think some of us should meet up 1 afternoon swap stories maybe a picnic!!?? both bldgs are open and very accessable Sparkles ripped a door down and gained access to the residence part! its good neutral ground to discuss a last mission to NSH...so JPT chris Stab bomb(haha) and anyone else interested in a meet let us know...email me pdelasco@yahoo.com dogs welcome!! no cats.
s.s.c is still on site here
Nope. There were state workers there recently..I saw one guy and a Mexican with a back hoe pounding away on a random spot on the ground..not sure what else the purpose of that would be.. lol..it's been a bit since I've ventured below..however from talking with other people that went more recently than I have they have verified new block walls and at least 2 new collapses.. I can agree *sealing* in order to perform a safety function..however Collapsing tunnels is more dangerous to the environment than you'd think..Like I said they have had numerous environmental technology companies survey the site..31 different areas of concern with the risk of airborne particulates is kinda a big deal. They didn't list anything there that I personally would like to come into contact with..Read the PDF if you get a chance..You'll understand a bit clearer than I can explain. here..I'll do half the work.. this is the "final" draft of the plan for Preston Redevelopment Agency. stupidity
Oh, how's about the guard whackin it and getting a nice little fireworks show- classic! And yea, I'm down for at least a couple more visits...
I guess there was something on the news the other night and they said there would be more to come. Ok and about hazards in collapsed tunnels-this reminds me of that abandoned mine story when they partially sealed entrances-for "safety" -and a couple kids went in and died because carbon monoxide had built up to fatal levels. I thought about that when I saw the back way in all caved in. There are many things made more dangerous in the name of safety, security. Did they mention that these tunnels got kicked over on purpose and illeagally?
I haven't gone in about a month, can anyone confirm if new tunnels have gone down? Or are we talkin the ones that have been for a bit? And really secuitas- The asshole of the security community? Well I guess if they want to salvage what they can, securitas knows where the scraps at! Too bad they'll take it themselves- fail Preston, you fail!
Tattoo's fucked my life up.. ...just sayin'
I'm not sure what the whole story is with Securitas being back at the site..I was well aware of their copper excursion. They were more than likely doing it to feed a habit. Most of the guys I've met for Securitas are complete scumbags..I'm not talking about puffin' on some herb..I'm talkin' passed out in their patrol cars with wax bags..Their bad news. I don't steal..vandalize or anything like that so unfortunately your pile of goodies are useless to me..even though I'm broke as can be right now..lol I'm a Norwich nerd..plain and simple..it sounds stupid but this place means alot to me.. and all the Bullshit going on with destroying tunnels and security being bigger assholes than the arsonists that come around..it all wears me out.
Well I had the interest of media but turned it away..because I didn't want to draw attention to the site itself. As far as OSHA..EPA and DEP such organizations..they're all in on the agreement..they funded this project. However, The town of preston is pretty much brushing off any of the guidelines they were agreed to follow in order to demo. They have different phases listed..and seems to me like they hired some people who can't seem to keep it all in order.. If they did what they were supposed to do..it would have been mentioned ..it being that the abatement process comes to a cost of at least 23 million...And not to mention the fact that you would NOTICE something big like that happening at the site..men with little space suits aren't hard to miss..
They did note in the Bulletin that they had lost a lot to copper theives, maybe they are trying to recover whatever is left before somebody steals it?
As far as all the carcinogens purported to be in the collapsed tunnels, why dont you contact one of these watchdog groups, and sic them on the issue? They would love to blow the whistle on something like this. And as most of them are run by private, (sometimes hysterically aggressive liberal) groups, they are not as likely to sweep it under the rug, so to speak. If you fear OSHA and other Government watchdog groups are corrupt, go with one of these.
Just took a look at the Waverly Hills website, all their night time investigations are booked for 2010. And some of their 'ghost' photos are really suspect. You would think a popular spot like Waverly would post better stuff than that. Dissapointing.
How is the blue baby hippo doing? If you are in the know, you know. Otherwise, ignore this bit.
Those guys were ripping off dormers (copper) over by Martin house...durring the day!! ... most of the pipes have been pulled (except the big trunk lines) the last nugget of copper is the dormers,gutters,down spouts and decrative metal...Im amazed noone has got into that part! harder work...but well worth it! the gutters are very thick guage stuff...$$$. if you look over behind Stribling bldg I have a little pile...odds and ends I found throughout my days...when that stuff comes down...its over...
Seems a lot of "clean up " type of work, suspect its fallout from the flooding/rains. Or maybe they are just sprucing up the site to make it more appealing to developers? Or perhaps, to make it eaiser for demo. Just speculation.
Did securitas take the preston side? I saw the cars but wasnt sure...they are the company who let people in with fuckin trucks to load copper! the site Mgr was arrested for it!! and now they are back?? how does this make sense??? I guess noone bothered to check who they got...as long as its cheap! and the tunnels they (preston town yahoos) crushed are the oldest and dirtiest on site. so does that mean they are gonna dig them back up? i guess I gotta take that last look around...at night. whos in? (Besides you Sparky dear)..
I just took the time to read the whole Preston Riverwalk plan..And I have to say that it is the largest sack of shit. It's chock full of information ..everything from what fuels were burned to what every building is made of..It includes an actual report of what remediation have to be in place before any demolition is done on site. I know I have gone on and on about all of this..but seriously Read the pdf they have on their site..It's amazing that they can say that they are going to have paid elected officials responsible for tasks I.E proper permits..and they do nothing. It states that the town has to follow all guidelines in the plan..however No remediation or cleanup has gone on at the site. I learned about 31 different contaminates on site mostly involving the tunnels..(that they have already smashed) ..Things such as pesticides,lead,mercury,asbestos and other contaminates.. I'm pretty pissed they can do this.. and to make it worse.. they are being funded by maybe 30 different grants from congress.. Look at the site..congress approved and gave a good word for the EPA..DEP etc.. to grant them 500,000.00 a piece..this is getting to be a joke..They are spending tax payers money on securitas ..however they have grants at 500k a piece just sitting there.. CT is twisted.
..So i need a raft of sorts.. An inflatable raft..or a kayak or something..If anyone can find a cheapo on the web let me know please. I got a explore brewing in some sweet tunnels..
old news but i was telling someone not too long ago about this..can't remember who though. I still get lolz about it..
MONTVILLE -- A Griswold man was arrested Monday when he was caught on the roof of a structure at the Norwich State Hospital property in Preston, police said.
Glenn A. Reil, 25, of [address removed], was charged with third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal trespassing.
Police said he used an extension ladder to access the roof in an area clearly marked "No Trespassing -- State Property."
Unfortunate for you.. I however have seemed to just come down with a terrible case of pink eye..or should I say "stink eye" in this case..? ..I however am capitalizing on my conjunctivitis as of right now.. = 0
I don't have pink eye. Guess no one farted on my pillow while I was in NC.
Hey..nobody forced you to watch it.. And it is entertaining.
Interesting link.... You're weird. haha
I had to do it guys...im sorry but this blows sparkles (shoes) post out of the water..I watched this for 45 minutes the other night.. sweet lemonade MmMm sweet lemonade
Noo..there's nothing new..even searching the states development plan there are no hits for Norwich..which I do believe has all the postings of deals of that nature. I saw quite a few state workers though..and spoke with sparkles shortly about all this too.. We were talking about the TAPS curse that seems to travel at the locations they investigate..This place will be torn down soon for sure.. I feel it.. They're disregard for history is eating me up though. Even at Fairfield Hills..your allowed to walk your dog or utilize the ball field on site.. I didn't post anything here about it..but Cliffside in meriden was a fun explore.. It's not a hulk like Norwich..but has a cool theater and lots of patient stuffs.. All goes sour at Norwich you guys could always switch hospitals I suppose.. I wonder if there is a word for people who have an obsession with abandoned hospitals?? google will be busy.
I keep a close tab on the Day and the Bulletin, and have seen nothing new about any deals at NSH. I try to publish what I can. I dont have access on weekends, so I suppose it could have been then.
I just told Sparky that I heard the trees are cut and bldgs open and being cleared out. its bound to happen...town workers are there all day...dumpsters and machines...onsite. so the day risk is high...nights? i dont know...its gotta come down sometime I guess...Im glad I got some cool swag out before the end...a last nite trip would be cool...mad dash from cemetary (butler house) to side Theatre door...
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