Amhurst Asylum returns to Northwest Indiana for a frightful experience you won’t soon forget! With a new expansion of 20,000 square feet and 8 new rooms, a scary time is promised for all!
The legend of the psychiatric hospital spans four decades, beginning when the facility was shut down by authorities. On the premises, the remains of over two dozen victims were found, many with organs harvested, others who were kept alive by crude methods of life support. A lot of the rooms of the hospital saw unethical human experiments, performed illegally by the facility’s leading surgeon and founder, Dr. John Amhurst.
Later it was discovered that Dr. Amhurst’s wife suffered from a rare disease, a degenerative disorder similar to mad cow disease that generally has only been found in indigenous people. Without the approval of the hospital board and his peers, Dr. Amhurst began performing illegal experiments, attempting to transplant new organs and limbs on his wife’s body, attempting to save her life.
Only one patient managed to escape, alerting the authorities of the horror she had been subjected to, though few would believe her story until they saw it firsthand. Dubbed by the locals as the Amhurst Asylum, the building was abandoned after shutdown and Dr. Amhurst was never found.
The haunted hospital kicked off its 2013 season on October 3rd, with a chance for local media to experience the fright, including students from Portage High School’s INN (Inter-school News Network). “This place is really cool,” stated Riley Walsh, Assistant Director at the Asylum. “I just don’t know why anyone would not want to come!”
Walsh went on to talk about some creepy experiences she’s had at the facility, including a time while she was working in the new Gimp Room. Director of Operations Geoffrey Graves had stepped out for a bit and while alone in the room, Walsh heard voices and walking footsteps. Perhaps it was Dr. Amhurst, walking the halls, ensuring all was in order?
The new rooms added this year include the Rules Room, Reception Room, Elevator and shaft, Black Hall, Padded Room, Patient Zero, Lath Room, Gimp Room, and the Atrium. The Psych Ward was the largest project this year, one of the scariest sections of the hospital along with the Elevator. The Industrial Room was also completely redone, featuring an authentic autopsy table and gurney. After this expansion, next year’s focus will be on improving the existing rooms.
All 78 actors in the crew are volunteers, coming from 10 schools in the surrounding area. People come all the way from Michigan to help make the Asylum a success! On a busy night, the staff expects 1,000 people to come through, with 10-12,000 visitors for the month.
The Asylum is open to the public from October 4th through November 2nd. Tickets can be purchased onsite or online for $20. For the more timid of heart- October 27th is Kids Night, from noon to 3 pm, $10 for adults, $5 for kids.
For more information, visit www.amhurstasylum.com. Be sure to like Amhurst Asylum on Facebook and follow the hospital on Twitter!