St Albans Sanitorium Conundrum.
Top Floor Women's ward Central bathroom and wash sink.
St Albans Sanitorium in Radford Virginia started as a TB hospital but rapidly became a hospital for the mentally Insane in 1916 and shut down for good in 2003.
I politely convinced the people who own it to let me come in and photograph by myself for 4 hours on a Sunday so Id be alone. 2 other people came along, one I know, one I met that day. Emma, Riverside Santa , was one. Once we got inside I split off by myself and walked the entirety of both buildings, into the Morgue, Electro Shock room, the suicide bathroom where many had committed suicide, the bowling alley in the basement, all with dripping peeling paint an some rooms that smelled so bad you had to leave as soon as you went in. The "cage" up on the roof as well.
Torture took place in this building, for years on these poor people. Experimental treatments were a constant. I can't imagine the pain these poor tortured souls were in for so long. Rumor has it one of the patients bought the building when it closed down.
As I walked this place, it was one of the most peaceful experiences in an old left to rot building I've had to date. The light from every window was beautiful, the floors , royal entry way staircase , and the sheer height of the ceilings and fixtures randomly convinced your brain you were in a castle or Mansion. I couldn't wrap my head around the beauty of this place that at the same time holds such evil memories for so many lost souls. It makes no sense. None of it at any angle. Where care should be, where concern should live and fragility is the norm for whom you care for. There in lies the conundrum.
I shot every floor and almost every room, tripod with shutter release, slow and deliberate photos.
I'll be going back again for more time , there were shots I planned out in my head but felt rushed since there was so much ground to cover.
Nikon PC-Nikkor 35mm f2.8 @F11. No Photoshop trickery.
Sorry for the delay in responding, I was caught in the southeast ice storm and had no power for the last 5 days and took some serious damage to the house... 2/15/25
St Albans Sanitorium Conundrum.
Top Floor Women's ward Central bathroom and wash sink.
St Albans Sanitorium in Radford Virginia started as a TB hospital but rapidly became a hospital for the mentally Insane in 1916 and shut down for good in 2003.
I politely convinced the people who own it to let me come in and photograph by myself for 4 hours on a Sunday so Id be alone. 2 other people came along, one I know, one I met that day. Emma, Riverside Santa , was one. Once we got inside I split off by myself and walked the entirety of both buildings, into the Morgue, Electro Shock room, the suicide bathroom where many had committed suicide, the bowling alley in the basement, all with dripping peeling paint an some rooms that smelled so bad you had to leave as soon as you went in. The "cage" up on the roof as well.
Torture took place in this building, for years on these poor people. Experimental treatments were a constant. I can't imagine the pain these poor tortured souls were in for so long. Rumor has it one of the patients bought the building when it closed down.
As I walked this place, it was one of the most peaceful experiences in an old left to rot building I've had to date. The light from every window was beautiful, the floors , royal entry way staircase , and the sheer height of the ceilings and fixtures randomly convinced your brain you were in a castle or Mansion. I couldn't wrap my head around the beauty of this place that at the same time holds such evil memories for so many lost souls. It makes no sense. None of it at any angle. Where care should be, where concern should live and fragility is the norm for whom you care for. There in lies the conundrum.
I shot every floor and almost every room, tripod with shutter release, slow and deliberate photos.
I'll be going back again for more time , there were shots I planned out in my head but felt rushed since there was so much ground to cover.
Nikon PC-Nikkor 35mm f2.8 @F11. No Photoshop trickery.
Sorry for the delay in responding, I was caught in the southeast ice storm and had no power for the last 5 days and took some serious damage to the house... 2/15/25