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.
I'm nervous about security. Does anyone know the consequences if you get caught there? I'd appreciate it if someone responded today if possible...
i make a point to drive bye whenever i can . thanks for the pix althou to neone that hasent seen it in person pix dont show the full beauty and over welming sadness that it holds. this hospital was on the show mtvs fear. they called it st agnes google it im sure there are clips of it . they also talk about some of the history too.
I drove past and took pics, of which I saw something in ne of the windows, pretty cool, would love to find a way in.
very cool.... do you have any more pic that you have shot of other places??? have you ever thought about doing black and white photo's and last do you every sell any of the photo's
Me and a few of my friends tried going there last night, it was hard. We walked a good mile on the railroad tracks trying to get there and we still didn't find it!
Those buildings are scary and I would never go in those buildings. Thank you for going in and taking these interesting photos. You should check out the Seaside Regional Center.
THIS PLACE IS VERY HAUNTED. I TOOK PICS AND ONE HAD A LITTLE BOY ON A SWING. ALSO TOOK PICS OF THE CEMENTARY BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WEIRD. LOVE TO GO IN THERE AND EXPLORE.
Just recently moved here and happened to drive by, got an eerie feeling as I was passing by. I became very intrigued by the old buildings and immediately knew that it had to be a state facility of some sorts. I feverishly searched the internet for information and came accross your sight, thank you for the information. It is a shame that one has to sneak get a glimpse of history.
To Peter: no, Session 9 was shot at Danvers State Hospital. Unfortunately I have not been there, and now it is too late, it has been reconverted into luxurious condos
Isn't this the same hospital than in the movie "Session 9"? I saw those pics and i had to watch the movie, because it reminded me of it...
I subsctribe to the view of the previous speakers. Shades of foretime, awesome, fascinating morbid charm, technical perfect … hang in there
I realy like this site. This was the first time on it. This is a Swedish site like yours... www.jornmark.se/places.aspx
Keep up the good work!!
Hi,Fascinating,these crumbling places,aren't they!Do you ever feel any 'presences' in any of these old places. like maybe the shades of people who once lived there or vibes of things that happened in these spaces? Keep up the good work,its fabulous!
awesome pics, simply awesome.
to asdf: simply because it was not accessible due to a brick wall, not a simple lock, and we forgot to bring dynamite
how come you didn't break the lock to the morgue? not to condone vandalism but, those would have been good pics probably.
I am italian, but in my country not exist this older site..yuo are very very Lucky to have this kind of modern archaeological ... My compliments Wonderful photos especially dental room with the machine for X-rays From sell it on ebay ;-) eheh Hello
They are some fantastic images there. I love American hospitals, they seem in such better condition than the old British ones now.
Did you use a filter on your pictures becasue they seem to have an nice effect going on and would love to try it myself.
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