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Haunted Attraction Gives Voice to Disabled Performers
6 Jun
Summary
- An old institution for the disabled became a haunted attraction.
- Performers with disabilities now lead the attraction's creative direction.
- A new documentary explores these performers' experiences at Pennhurst.
Opened in 1908 as an institution for those with disabilities, Pennhurst State School and Hospital closed in 1987 following years of documented abuse. Today, the site operates as a haunted attraction, Pennhurst Asylum, which has faced controversy over its portrayal of disability. However, following a leadership change in 2017, the attraction partnered with preservation groups.
Creative control has been given to performers with disabilities, whose experiences are now featured in the documentary 'The Haunting of Pennhurst.' This film offers insight into the attraction and includes personal accounts from performers who have experienced institutionalization and societal marginalization. They speak of finding empowerment and a sense of belonging.
Despite the empowering aspects, performers also share the challenges of being perceived as "monsters" due to their disabilities. The documentary delves into the site's dark history, revealing instances of abuse, restraint, and neglect that occurred during its operation. The film also highlights how some residents reported being better off after the institution's closure in 1987.
