Norwich State Hospital, Take 2

This past weekend, we decided our last trip to Norwich wasn't comprehensive enough and this was the time to go back. A warm day was appreciated in the last months of winter, and made it an easier trip all around. Leaving earlier in the day, we got far more daylight out of our trip and were able to get to much of the main part of campus. We drove up with all the supplies we'd had before but with the addition of a map of the campus, which was really great for figuring our way into and through the tunnels.

Instead of parking across the highway's intersection, we parked in the park-and-ride lot right next to the campus and headed in through the broken down fence. Climbing down the hill to the railroad tracks, we reentered the campus by Galt, the building we had explored last time. Using our map to assess the plan of attack, we entered through the Laundry. We explored the building and found our way down to the tunnels. They were full of old bed frames, and Sam even managed to capture what might be a ghost or just a very human-shaped cloud of dust. We continued through the tunnels, finding all sorts of rooms, like a garden shop and what appeared to be a confessional, down there.

From Better Than Casinos, Take 2

We headed up through Earle and explored the building, where we found loads of interesting areas, including where it appears they threw all of their old Christmas decorations and an indoor porch. Ceilings caved in, moss on the floors. Continuing through other buildings, we found a dark room full of old records and papers of all kinds as well as an arts room with large paintings on the walls and a bowling alley, full of balls and with nearly enough pins.

From Better Than Casinos, Take 2

We continued through the tunnels to the half-above ground portion. It was still freezing in the tunnels despite the sunshine coming in the short windows. We went into a storage building, but the cafeteria, auditorium/roller rink and theater were in the next building. The floor of the cafeteria was covered in ice, as parts of the tunnels had been, the roller rink's wooden floors were buckling with a large pile of snow in the corner, but the theater was beautiful. One of the pianos next to the stage had crumbled apart, but almost all of the seats were still in place. Many of the large windows were broken, and a tree was growing in the back of the main level.

From Better Than Casinos, Take 2

We continued through buildings and tunnels, despite hearing security on our tail previously. We continued, trying to find our way into the men's dorm and morgue, but it was bricked up. We found our way into the admin building, where some people had previously had a grand party, full of booze and spray paint. We left our chalk marks on the foyer and made our way over to the chapel.

From Better Than Casinos, Take 2

Though we expected the chapel to be a sweet end to our trip, they apparently turned it into a daycare center or something. Also, the tunnel from admin to the chapel was full of bats, which was a kind of terrifying surprise. We found signs telling us not to use radio channel 15, which we had been using and suspect may be have been the way security had found us previously. We emerged from the chapel in the daylight, made our way back to the car and enjoyed dinner at a near-by Greek diner. A good time had by all 4 of us and quite a successful expedition.

Norwich State Hospital

Nearly a month ago, I took a trip with a few friends up to the Norwich State Hospital, also known as the Norwich Insane Asylum. The trip began with the long drive up, and the difficulty of the GPS to find out where we wanted it to go. We eventually stopped near a local dining spot and made our way through the woods and down to the train tracks to find our way in from the back of the property, as it is state property.


As we entered the property, one of our team was able to ninja-climb into the building, but the rest of us found a window in the front of a building and climbed into the building. It appeared to be the old firehouse, or perhaps a dormitory. The basement had a giant pile of broken glass as well as many tangled fire hoses. One room which we spent much time in was lined with beds, down the hallway there were many smaller rooms with one or two beds. Though we attempted to get into other buildings, the sun was setting and the moon was rising. We caught a glimpse of a patrol car scanning the area, and decided that the best thing to do was get out, as the buildings' large windows would give away any flashlights or camera flashes we would use. Making a hasty retreat, we vowed to go back again and see what we could find, hoping to explore the intricate tunnel system which connects much of the hospital's campus.

I was able to capture a lot of great images of decay and nature's takeover of this depressing and abandoned place, but we weren't able to break out the ghost hunting apparatus that we brought with us. It's a huge campus and really pretty in the winter. I'm sure it's better in the spring, but the empty trees and snow complimented the state of the buildings that we glimpsed inside.

Also, Golden Pizza is disgustingly greasy. Would not suggest it.