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Infiltration Forums > UE Photography > North Star State School(Viewed 2538 times)
Baldran location:
The Ira Bemis House
 
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North Star State School
< on 9/26/2020 12:35 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
One of the aspects of exploring in the mid-Atlantic that I miss most is the abundance of large, multi-building state institutions. Those few that exist up here in the first place are largely still in use or repurposed. Naturally, I've had the craving lately, but as I started researching this place, there was nothing to indicate that it was at all a viable or interesting place to explore. I was happy to find that it is both.

I have been completely unable to find any other explorer's photos or videos of this place, and walking up to it, it's easy to see why. Every door and window up to the third floor is boarded up on every single building. There are no limitations to visitors walking around the campus, and I must have done several laps looking for any sign of a viable POE. I finally found a chink in the armor, and after squeezing through one of the smallest gaps I've ever used, I gained access to the admin building, chapel and several residential buildings.

This institution operated under several titles since its establishment in 1903. Originally founded as a school for "feeble minded" children, it became a state prison after the wider trend de-institutionalization forced its closure in the early 1990's. Visiting today, it's easy to see these layers of history: some parts are relatively modern and even have power, while others retain their early architecture and show far more severe decay. As familiar as I am with institutions like this, this one still had some really nice surprises in store, particularly the holding cells and some of the best patient/inmate art I've ever seen. It's a tough nut to crack, but an extremely worthwhile one.

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As always, thanks for looking!



Flickr
randomesquephoto   |  | 
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 1 on 9/26/2020 7:23 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Dude. You're just freaking killing it all the time. Amazing set. I really really enjoy 6, with the chair, and the stairwell peaking out. And, so many other WINNERS here. Wall art is so cool.



RIP Blackhawk
EsseXploreR location:
New Jersey
 
 |  |  | AbandonedNJ Photography
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 2 on 9/26/2020 8:35 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Excellent as always man. You managed to get around here quite well! Its a great campus, definitely way more welcoming than I expected after looking at it on Google maps for over a decade. We don't have to many like it left!



https://www.flickr...62837453@N07/sets/

http://www.tfpnj.blogspot.com
mookster location:
Oxford, UK
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 3 on 9/26/2020 9:42 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
What a stunner!



Katharsys location:
Las Vegas, NV
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 4 on 9/26/2020 7:21 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
I’m drooling over here. I know how you feel about the sprawling state schools. Sometimes some of the most amazing things are hiding in plain sight. Sets like this inspire me whenever I get those discouraged end of an era feeling. They’re still out there 😃



http://www.flickr.com/photos/katharsys/
reygn   |  | 
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 5 on 10/7/2020 7:03 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
I really like the mosaic! Do you know what those cells are used for?



plight location:
Bay Area, CA
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 6 on 10/8/2020 8:16 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Posted by reygn
I really like the mosaic! Do you know what those cells are used for?


Looks like it became a state prison. Third paragraph on the original post has some info. Really odd history.


[last edit 10/8/2020 8:20 AM by plight - edited 1 times]

Dave Summer location:
Ontario
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 7 on 10/8/2020 4:26 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Awesome! Some great decay!



Cross-   |  | 
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 8 on 10/8/2020 9:30 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Always enjoy seeing something new. Nice job man.



PAexplorations location:
Pennsylvania
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 9 on 12/4/2020 12:02 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Excellent.




Your hand is staining my window.
Alpine7840   |  | 
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 10 on 12/4/2020 3:33 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
What an amazing set! Thank you!



MisUnderstood! location:
SouthEast, Texas
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 11 on 12/4/2020 3:45 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Great Location! Very Cool pics! Love the Artwork. 13 is one of the prettiest untagged Murals ive seen in a long time. Amazing! 14 is my overall fave. Really glad you found an opening and was able to capture these Awesome shots.


[last edit 12/4/2020 3:55 AM by MisUnderstood! - edited 1 times]

A place of Mystery is Always worth a curiosity trip!
Kurt location:
Taxachusetts
 
 |  |  | Flickahhh
Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 12 on 12/4/2020 5:39 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
these are great



"What is your favorite thing about Belchertown?"

"...the history, man"
Baldran location:
The Ira Bemis House
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 13 on 12/5/2020 3:57 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
Thanks very much for the kind words, everyone! I've been MIA here for so long because I had planned a return visit to this place right away. Going back a few weeks later, though, I found my original entrance sealed, with no other apparent ways in. Fast forward a few weeks, and I started to see photos from this place on social media, including buildings that I hadn't seen when I visited. I reached out to one poster, and found out all I needed to know about which buildings were open and how to approach them, setting the stage for my triumphant return last weekend. The biggest new discovery was the institution's cafeteria building, and while I didn't get a huge number of new photos, I enjoyed the atmosphere and architecture just as much as the first trip, with the weather cooperating to provide the only nice day we've had in weeks.

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On the drive over, I also stopped off at this place:

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Flickr
hogofgibson
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
 
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Re: North Star State School
<Reply # 14 on 12/10/2020 1:16 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER ForumQuote
The school shouldn't be like this. I recommend using external investments or private financial funds. I think that prison is not the best place for school because the energy persists



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