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Pennhurst State SchoolLocated in a rural area outside of Philadelphia, the Pennhurst State School was developed in 1908 to serve as a community for people with longterm severe mental and physical disabilities. At it's peak the several hundred acre campus housed over 3500 patients (known as "clients") and began suffering from overcrowded conditions. Sexual abuse, neglect, and appalling living conditions led to a class action lawsuit against the school in 1977. The school was found guilty of violating patients rights and was officially shut down a decade later in 1987. Today the campus is used for training exercises by the Pennsylvania National guard and local search & rescue teams. |
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