My uncle who was born in 1942 had Down’s syndrome & my grandparents had to fight the state of Pennsylvania to keep him from being sent away to an ‘institution’!! He was such a wonderful, kind, hard working & funny man who was a blessing to our family!! He couldn’t really speak but a few legible words but we understood a lot of what he was saying!! His laugh was contagious & he had a way of calming cranky babies right to sleep!! He lived with my grandmother until she passed then he went to live with my aunt, his sister, until he passed about 10 yrs later. Thank God he never was forced to go to a horrific place like this!! Thank God my grandparents fought with everything they had against the state!!!
He was lucky to have parents who could afford to advocate and care for him in that time period. I have a cousin with downs but she is very independent and even has a job working with horses. Her parents refused to accept that she had downs and unfortunately were trash parents who were abusive, I refuse to acknowledge them as anything other than trash to me they aren’t even human for how they treated their children. But that girl is so incredibly compassionate, she’s artsy, kind and so understanding of animals and children. I’m not close to her anymore but that’s only because of her parents.
You pretty much described my uncle word for word. It's crazy how you can understand what they're saying as long as you know what going on in their lives. my uncle taught me something about life that I don't think I'd ever have learned if I didn't have the time with him that I did. Truly was a blessing and a privilege.
My grandmothers sister fell down the stairs when she was 4 and never recovered to where she “grew up” her body aged but her mind stayed 4 for the rest of her life. She was put in Letchworth Village and I would go see her with my aunts, cousins and grandmother. For my teenage yrs of visiting Aunt Anna there was ALWAYS a dark feeling there. I thought it sad that my grandmothers sister had to live there. My cousin ended up lost in the building and got surrounded by what she says was a demonic feeling. Never liked going there but my sadness for my aunt overrid that feeling of not wanting to be there.
How sad that a man who was trying to do good and help the less fortunate is forever tied in name to this horrible place that so went against his wishes. Great job with this video.
I live not too far from Pennhurst and have known nurses who worked there. Good nurses who did their best in overwhelming situations and didn't want to abandon their patients by simply leaving. It's so sad to see people who have been vilified for being tied to such a horrific place.
As a disabled person I want to thank you, so very much for bringing stories like these to light. People need to hear more of these stories, people need to face the injustice and acknowledge the truth for a better future for people like us. 😢 I too have experienced being told I am nothing but a money sink, that I should have been thrown out like trash from my own father no less - and from strangers while I'm just trying to live my life. We're disabled; not trash, not burdens. We're just different. Thank you again, please keep speaking up on such matters!! We CAN make a change if we try hard enough.
Reading your comment, you express yourself with intelligence and compassion. You know who is trash? Your father for saying such horrible things to you. What has he done that's so noteworthy? Thankfully not everyone shares his opinion. Being disabled does not make us less human or less worthy of love and kindness. I hope you are living your best life, having more good days than bad, and find at least one way to bring joy to the world every day. Much love from a perfectly imperfect disabled old crazy cat lady! ❤❤❤
ANYONE THAT SAID THAT TO YOU IS WRONG AND YOUR BETTER OFF WITHOUT THAT EVIL IN YOUR LIFE!! I DONT KNOW YOU BUT I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY YOU ARE WORTH LOVE AND RESPECT 🙏 I PRAY YOUR AROUND BETTER PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU NOW!
I'm a paranormal investigator and historian that can't stand what the field has become. Thank you with all my heart for telling this story so respectfully and compassionately.
They're just so disrespectful. Like they're so concerned about putting on a preformance and get views for their tv show/youtube channel that they completely ignore the fact that the 'ghosts' they're interacting with were once people who deserve peace and not to be screamed at.
@@SjofnBM1989 thank you! I have a channel called spirits Of history that focuses on historical facts about these locations and I call out the liars and people get really nasty about it including death threats. It's sick.
Absolutely! Considering the subject matter, I expected him to be the reason these poor souls were tortured, when in reality it was HIS vision to see them properly cared for with compassion. ❤
So unbelievably sad. The initial idea sounded like a great place for people struggling with mental illness but the darkness inside humans that comes out when given too much authority over others destroyed what it could've been. You did an amazing job with this video Stephanie, thank you again. I absolutely love and appreciate your work.
Just ONCE I would like to hear of a historic institution for the disabled/mentally ill that DIDN'T turn into a horror show. I don't think it's ever happened.
My mother worked in a "developmental center" funded by the state, for the very disabled. Patients that could not get out of bed and often were mentally just as disabled. They shut it down around 2006 for patient abuse. For the same reasons Letchworth turned into a nightmare. Severe lack of funding, overcrowding and too many patients per nurse. She'd even go in there on her time off to volunteer. I think I watched a Ghost Adventures interview and a nurse that worked at Letchworth Village was speaking to them and she ALSO went to volunteer in her off time and go up there and work for free because she said she just couldnt stand knowing that her patients were in there suffering and needed her all the time. My mom neglected us, her own children, to volunteer on her days off taking care of other people's children-not that i blame her! And the doctor is never answering their phone calls to help the nurses to call in medications all the patients needed...these guys were much worse off that the patients at Letchworth. There was no way they could take care of themselves. I think most all Letchworth patients could have been rehabilitated had they not been in a a concentration camp. Lets call Letchworth what it really was. Not a "hospital" or "home". They were slaves unless they were so disabled they couldnt work. I bet a far more significant portion of Letchworth prisoners that couldn't work were overdosed on sedatives than ones that could. Mom said the state couldn't, no, wouldn't pay enough ppl to keep everything in tip top shape and therefore that place ALSO went to hell.
It never happened because disabled people are seen as less than trash and still are today if you look around - while we have come a FAR distance from what it used to be, disabled people are still forced into squalor, forced to live poor, in some states (I will clarify not all) they, we, as I'm disabled; was born that way, can't even get married if we want any form of help - because it will diminish the help we can get. A lot of disabled people are forced to forgo life changing surgeries they NEED, to own homes, cars, get married and live a somewhat normal life. The "help" we as disabled individuals do recieve dictates what we can OWN, in my state if I wanted help (my surgeries would cost well into the millions with the therapy I would need after calculated in) I couldn't own over 2k in 'assets' and if I did? No help. And I would only get 3-4 months of help after said surgeries before the state pulls the 'help', because after that point they will deem me 'no longer disabled' even though I will need well over 6 months of physical therapy. I can't afford the remaining costs for therapy, so here I am, 32, and practically forced to live with a bent spine and leg deformities because the government so deems it. We've come very far in terms of accessibility. But NOT far enough. Cities claim they are accessible but some people have to go several extra blocks to get to said accessible entrances etc, what would take an able bodied person 20 mins in travel would take a disabled person well over an hour, I could go on and on about the changes that need to happen but no one listens. 😢 It feels like no one cares about us or our voices, and I hope it changes for future generations - and that more opportunities open up for people like me. I hope children can have a better, more accepting future, but it feels unattainable because certain countries are now k*lling kids with specific disablilties and claiming they're 'curing' the problem - I sadly believe we will never truly be seen as people, but always a burden on society.
7:28 There were good institutions. But they don't make much of a story for RUclipsrs. Not every one was a horror show and I've met people with fond memories of their time in an institution. We do need to remember why they were originally called 'asylums'. They were conceived as places of refuge for people who couldn't cope with the world. Perhaps we should pay more attention to who we vote for if we want facilities properly funded? I'm wary of ANY politician who claims they can cut costs and keep cutting them. People suffer as a result.
Amen 🙏 to that 🙏 surely there's got to be 1 historic institution that served the purpose it was intended for! So much corruption everywhere in the world 🌎 😢
I’m a mental health tech who works with children from 5-17 in Oklahoma, and the stories I’ve heard or even looked up is so heartbreaking. When you said that parents just admit their children, when they feel like they can’t control them.. my heart broke in so many pieces because so many of my children walk in and parents admit them and then turn them over to the state or just will try to flat out refuse the d/c pickup date and time. My heart shatters every time. This video was very nicely did and now I’m googling myself. Thank you Stephanie.
It was the opposite for me. My mom would admit me just for your attention. I hope people working in your field recognize when parents do this because I think it's about to get really bad due to them getting attention on social media.
Thank you for the work you do! I'm an art and talk therapist with a trauma and crisis treatment program in Ontario that works with patients 18+, and so many of them have been in and out of the system since they were children, at least partly because of parents who were (at least) part of the problem themselves, or just didn't care about their "troubled" (often abused and/or neurodivergent) child themselves. The stories I hear from exactly the kind of kids you work with break my heart too, and they're also a big part of why I stick with my work. I think I might be googling myself too, after all this...
I would imagine that a lot of the parents feel overwhelmed and don't know how to properly care for these children. I think educating the parents better could do wonders!
@@phaedrapage4217 I agree - parents need to be taught how to raise kids! My sister (parent of two wonderful kids) is frequently grumbling that she wishes there were a class on how to manage whichever stage her kids are at. Right now they're 10 and 13, and I think she and my bro in law are doing a great job, but they're still the parents of a teen and a tween, going by the general rules of balancing compassion and reasonable rules, and not repeating their parents' mistakes!
In 1979 I gave birth to our eldest and disabled son, my mother's reaction was to put him into a home. I could never do that to a child I'd given birth to. He's an awesome young man who is very thoughtful of others with a wicked sense of humour, such a blessing to our family. Yes he has difficulties and had many neurological operations but what he brings to this life far outweighs any drawbacks.
How did the relationship between your mother and son turn out? Im guessing putting him in a home was her default reaction because that was normal when she wa younger, so im curious to hear if her thought process changed after getting to know him
@@miemora5920 She wasn't the motherly kind of person. I remember her giving him a cup for Christmas one year which said 'Happy Father's Day' when filled with hot liquid, this really upset him as he will never be a Father. She'd won it on the bingo, where most of their presents came from. When she divorced my father when I was 2 and my sister was 6 months they divided us, my sister stayed with my father but I ended up with my victorian grandmother (children should be seen and not heard) as my mother didn't want me. She only brought me back to live with her when she got pregnant and had a baby to the man she was housekeeping for and they married. I was there as a surrogate mother at 7 years old, doing everything for my baby sister and then a couple of years later my youngest sister was born. At 13 all the neighbours called me little mother. I don't know if she was capable of love as I once asked her if she had ever loved any of her 3 husbands and she said no. The first was to get away from my grandmother, yes the one she left me with, the second she married as she got pregnant by him and her third was to enable her to buy a house. I'm thankful for my upbringing as it made me determined to be the best possible mother and now grandmother to my own children. You have to try to see the positive side of events otherwise you would go crazy.
I'm a frequent urban explorer, the footage you have from the abandoned village buildings is excellent. Fantastic production quality on this, great job Stephanie!
How would one begin to urban explore? I find myself fascinated watching videos of others doing it but feel the need to have the experience even if it’s just once.
@@megcraig15 I used to do some urban exploration, and the first rule is never go alone! There's always a chance of accidents in abandoned places, so having a buddy, or better yet, a small team, is necessary for safety. So is some basic protective gear. I always wore steeltoed Doc Martens or work boots when exploring, along with some solid, long pants, (cargos are good for pocket space!) and a beat up, but tear-resistant leather jacket. Tear resistant work gloves are smart to have with you if you're going to be climbing, or touching anything. (Having an up to date tetanus shot is a good idea too!) A really good flashlight is a necessity, as are extra batteries, and also dust masks for everybody, since you never know what might be floating around or growing in the places you're exploring - anything from black mold to asbestos... A phone goes without saying, in case of trouble, a basic first aid kit is a good idea in case of accidents, (after seeing a friend slice her hand on a bit of broken glass in an abandoned hospital, it came in handy!), and plenty of water, as if you were going on a serious hike! And if your phone isn't enough, bring a good camera, because you'll see some amazing things! I know all this gear sounds a bit scary, but urbex is an easy way to get hurt if you're not careful, and abandoned places are full of dangerous materials, pathogens, and occasionally people that can really mess you up if you're exposed to them. I've always thought better safe than sorry, and I always came out okay. I was able to patch up a buddy when necessary, (sorry about your hand, Sara, that alcohol hurt but it was for your own good!), and we never ran into a situation we couldn't handle, apart from getting a bit creeped out from time to time. But that's part of the fun, right?
@@megcraig15 there's a couple ways, you can start looking up abandoned buildings/towns/ghost towns, things like that. You could also go on Google maps and look around for buildings that the roofs are fallen in/over grown with vegetation stuff like that. The second one you obviously get more of a chance to hit or miss as opposed to looking up abandoned places. Also when you look up abandoned/ ghost towns/buildings make sure to research them because a lot are closed to the public/have security etc. Where are you? I've been to 30 states and might be able to help point you toward a place to start.
Great to see you on location! I had a family member that was sent to a similar facility many years ago. She was sterilized and lobotomized. This was in the 60’s in Missouri. Letchworth was a large facility, but many, many others were scattered, often hidden in plain sight, around the country. My family member’s illness? None. She was molested by her father and her mother did not want her to get pregnant or tell.
I read a novel that had the same exact circumstance. It was very good historical fiction, read with a book group, so a really impactful thing that I will never forget. Also with the same group, read “Unbroken” which is the story of Louis Zamperini, the WW2 gunner who survived on a raft in the Pacific after his plane went down for an insane amount of time, then became a POW of the Japanese. He also won a gold(?) medal in the Olympics for running. Apparently he had almost been a victim of the eugenics program when he was a child. Apparently the program was in place until pretty recently in some states- I think the last state to end it was North Carolina.
Thank you for your kind words. Sadly, I only really met her a few times when I was a child. She was released in her early twenties and married a much older man. Never heard much about her after that. The sterilization laws were crazy and eugenic-based as Stephanie pointed out. The 1927 Supreme Court ruling ( Buck v. Bell, 274 U.S. 200 (1927)) allowed for involuntary sterilizations under the “Three generations of imbeciles is enough.” That said, parents could do what they wished with their kids for the most part. Unruly? Let’s get you a lobotomy! Promiscuous? We can fix that! Many State laws to this day allow for the court to determine if a developmentally disabled person should be sterilized under various “ best interest” or “medically necessary” standards. So, in many ways, threads of Letchworth are still alive and well. It does present a unique debate about rights, dignity, and the human condition.
My great grand mother was in one of these asylums as well due to what would now be diagnosed with PPD. The sickest part is one of the workers there sexually assaulted her which she got pregnant from and they took her baby to put up for adoption… the ppd was to the extreme after that and she was never ever the same. My nana found out when she was 60 years old she had a sibling from that assault at the asylum.
Stephanie please consider covering Dozier School for Boys in Marianna,Fl. It’s a very disturbing situation and there’s still people who lived and worked there that are still alive and dealing with trauma! Thank you for bringing light to this!
There's something so haunting about this series in general - your deep dives (and also Crime Weekly) often tell sad stories, yes, but there's something spiritually profound about these forgotten places where there are people with no names, their stories literally lost, that is sad on a deeper level. They're definitely stories worth telling, and I'm glad that you do.
It makes me so sad to think about what these people went through. My 14 year old daughter has complex disabilities and epilepsy. Heartbreaking to think that children like my own were tortured in this manner and lived in those conditions.
Mama I feel this so much... ❤❤ My heart hurts so much for all the babies and children that passed in that place... My oldest daughter has special needs also andy blood was boiling hearing some parts of what happened... ❤ It's so so sad.
Same here Mamas! I have a developmentally disabled child & I have worked with IDD adults, some of who were sent away to places like this as children, it makes me so sad! Unfortunately even if the parents deeply loved their children they were told these places would be the best/ only option for them, I’m sure a lot of those parents thought they were doing the right thing because like Stephanie mentions eugenics was such an ingrained part of society & these parents were made to feel they were not capable of caring for their children. So upsetting, you would have to pry my child from my cold dead hands! Even then I’m coming back to haunt anyone who treats my baby poorly.
@user-so7vt1uc6p I was 21 when my daughter was dx at the age of 10 months. My ob was our family physian and wasn't running the right test to see what was going on with my daughter. I found a pediatrician and they ordered an emergency mri for my daughter. The next time I saw my physian he asked on an update for my child, when I told him her DX he told me to put her in a home or hospital setting because I would not be able to handle her needs. I proved him wrong and am her biggest advocate. With that being said, I totally understand how parents were put into that position back then and agree with what you are saying. So tragic.
There is injustice in this world. People in need were experimented on, hurt or killed. Modern society should learn from these stories and allow people in need to live a decent life, not excluded, not discriminated against or be hated. Imagine being in their shoes.
This broke my heart. I recall the geraldo Rivera exposé. Also, at one point my son (now deceased) went to live in a care facility, so far and away above anything described here. But, what if Letchworth had NOT been exposed? Would any of the leaks and bounds forward in care have happened?? So many questions. There's so much to talk about. Additionally, when my mother was a young nurse, she worked with the "criminally insane." The stories...omg. Anyway, thank you Stephanie . 🙏
I was born in Rochester, and spent every spring a fall at Letchworth Park celebrating family birthdays. I live in Michigan now and still go back to Letchworth to hike. So beautiful.
THE STRANGER THINGS THEME KILLLLLEEEDDDD IT. Nail on the head for exactly what we needed. And the quality of this is literally full crew, documentary quality
As a mother to an autistic person, this was a hard listen! I agree with everyone saying that the production was incredible♥️ This is such an important topic. People need to realize how recent these horrific things were just regularly done to people. Thank you.
I spent two hours on the phone with SSA today, trying to figure out why my disability payments are all messed up, ended up leaving the call crying. Then happen to have a Stephanie Harlowe vid, and its about Letchworth Village. No matter how badly disability treats me, its nothing compared to what i wouldve been sujected to decades ago. My heart breaks for those souls. After being disabled for almost a decade, I took a parttime job working with special needs adults. They are the best 😊 they literally brighten my day. I know they are considered my "clients" but they are more like friends or family. I miss them when i dont see them for a while and I worry about them and their well being when im not around. I was told "you care too much" cause i will fight for my clients, since they cant fight for themselves. Thank you for spreading light on this subject. 💚💚💚 And btw... The cinematography is next level on this one!
Be careful with that emotional baggage, it can burn you out and make you lose a lot of faith in humanity because the system is still so screwed up. I speak from experience. It's important work and the high points are great but it can break your heart. Don't forget to take care of YOU. ❤
My husband worked at letchworth state park before we met, my brother works there now. I grew up spending summers there and never knew this story. I always forget we live in the same area and love to hear the “local” stories you tell!
Hi ,Im from the UK and have a son with Autism and LD , it was very hard to stomach but thank you for giving people a reminder of how disabled people were treated in the not too distant past. You gave justice and respect to those who lived and died there Thank you.x
A M A Z I N G ! So beautiful to watch & thought provoking. As always Stephanie you spoil us with your amazing gifts & talents 👏 I'm watching from the UK & my son has Downs Syndrome so would have been one of these forgotten if born in those times. Thank you for highlighting this dark & deplorable history ❤
Bless you and op. Hope things improve. I definitely relate (recovering addict with a teething 2 month old in addition to chronic depression and anxiety)@@angelascharmedlife
Stephanie! This episode was hauntingly beautiful! I have so much love and respect for the work you do, and appreciate that you are bringing to light the stories of these innocent people who tragically didn't receive the compassion they deserved in life. Thank you for always being the voice for those who no longer have their own!
Makes me sad that autistic children and adults where locked up in places like this..... And you have people saying we didn't have all this autism in my day.... Ye coz you never seen them they were banished to place's like this and forgotten about....
I want to assure you both as an adult that fucks heavy with the tism we are alive thriving and stimming In quiet places and being extremely silly 🚨😶🌫️🚨👹🫶
@@hopemccubbin8661more diagnoses, but the same number of cases. they just weren't properly diagnosed until recent generations. so it seems like there are more, but it's really just correcting the data to reflect reality. 👍
Stephanie amazing content ❤ I worked with an older man with leaning difficulties who was in a residential placement that was opened as " a colony for mental defectives" he had the most awful gut wrenching experience.The place didn't close until the late 80's, I can only imagine the real horror these people endured ❤️
Thanks to cover this history of this place. Years ago my husband and I visited the site and came across two women who used to work there. They told us stories of their experiences, all positive. How they loved it but struggled with tight budgets. They genuinely expressed how much they cared for the people they took care of. They keep a physical presence to keep it from being destroyed. These ladies want the remaining buildings to be preserved to not lose the history.
I was fascinated by your video on Letchworth Village. I grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, NY and Letchworth State Park was a frequent place to spend a weekend. I have NEVER heard of the Village - terrible hidden history. And just a personal comment - Stephanie you look tired and too thin. I read your post about your divorce. I’m so sorry. I went through that in my late 60s and I understand how devastating it can be to your mind and health. Things will get better over time. Being on your own can be restful and freeing once you cut the ribbons of connection from the dysfunctional relationship. It will take time but in the meantime do some positive self-care every day. You will come through this! Love to you.
Seriously Stephanie you have outdone yourself with this series! I am literally in awe at the production quality. At this point let's just be honest, you are ABOVE RUclips. You are bringing movie quality content to us for free🎥... I'm so excited for more of these episodes!🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
WOW!! Hands down my FAVORITE Strange and Unusual video!! The production value i felt like i was watching a feature film documentary!! Amazing job Stephanie!!!
@@StephanieHarlowe I live upstate now but I lived there for 13 years, went to high school at NRHS practically across the street from Letchworth. It was kind of a place all the teens went to engage in illegal/unsavory activities since it was (mostly) abandoned. We were never properly taught about the history even though a couple of schools in our district were over there!
I was born and raised in Wyoming County and never had any idea about Letchworth Village / institution!!!! I left NYS in 1994 but lived there 20 years. I can’t believe I never knew any of this.
OMG! Stephanie!! What can I say? What just happened??? This was outstanding. You literally kidnapped me and wouldn't let go. I've always loved your work, but this, this was a cut above. The narration and the overall production quality took me there with you and I couldn't escape even if I wanted to. I plan to watch again, something I never do. Incredible work! I don't know what you tapped into but girl, this is one of your best. Just WOW!!!
Stephanie… you have so much support. Thank you for always providing us with top notch content even when you’re maneuvering through some of the most difficult days of your personal life. We love you. 🖤
@StephanieHarlowe coming in clutch! I can't watch you and Derrick until I KNOW the series is done... clowns is my one no-go! Tbh I'm still going to watch it, just binge style so I only have nightmares for 1 night!😂😂😂
Your passion for story telling is shining through immensely with this one Stephanie! Wow!! I felt a sense of gratitude from those who had the misfortune of living there. Your honoring of the patients is fully appreciated and dare I say freeing? Thank you!! ✨💖✨
Buffalo native (and resident) here! I absolutely love when you cover NYS history, especially stories ive never heard like this one. Also, production value 💯
Oh this story breaks my heart! I have a beautiful daughter who has severe non verbal autism, I can’t even imagine her going through any of this! It completely breaks my heart to know young children with disabilities were abused like this 😭
I love that you're doing something a little bit different. As much as I love the true crime we all need a little mental break. Thank-you so much! This is great! Love seeing you outside the studio throwing a nod to history. You are amazing.
Loved this video! Is this a new series for you? The style was amazing. Photos were so graphic and interesting. The thing that made it really interesting for me was, less than a month ago my husband and I took a day trip from Ohio to see the waterfalls! It was beautiful, however at the time I didn't know the back story. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep them coming....no one does a story like you!!❤
The ONLY thing wrong with this amazing 🤩 episode is that I wanted it to never end. Asylums have so many horror stories to tell & you’re the perfect soul to tell those stories.
This sounds so much like Byberry state hospital that opened in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1907 and closed in 1990 because of deplorable conditions! I'm originally from Philadelphia and can remember seeing the hospital while driving down the Roosevelt blvd. Thank you Stephanie for covering this. Never heard of this. You may want to check out the history of Byberry.❤
Wow this video was incredible! Production quality is top notch. Your storytelling is always leaps and bounds above any others. Thank you for telling us about the victims of this tragic institution. 🖤
Long time subscriber, I love your content. This video really touched me. I’m the caregiver for my Aunt , she is mentally handicapped. She will be 69 years old this year, mentally she’s about on the level of 8 year old. She’s an absolute joy to me and everyone who meets her. The thought of her being abused , abandoned, or treated like a criminal is absolutely heart wrenching. So much abuse goes on now …. I know an unlicensed group home in Texas was just shut down and the owner is suspected of several murders. I want to believe most of people who own or work at these type of facilities truly want to help but it’s hard and unfortunately it continues on and on. Thank you , Stephanie for your hard work and for telling the stories of those whose voices have been silenced. You are amazing. Much love to you 🖤
Stephanie's talent is admirable. Her voice is perfect for this type of stories. I've seen this video 3 times with different family members.. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing with such detail and respect all those stories. ❤
Your research, your delivery, your aesthetics, your compassion, your anger, it’s all so incredible. But your ability to play background music at the perfect level is far superior to anything on this planet.
That Geraldo documentary changed my life. I had already been working with special needs kids for several years when I saw it. It absolutely sticks in my mind every day when I went to work for my students. Give them all the love, time, and patience they DESERVE as human beings. It's shocking and moving if you've never seen it, WATCH IT
Oh my freaking God I absolutely love your writing and story telling.I was unaware of the existence of Letchworth Village. I live in Kentucky and we have Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville. Like Letchworth it is a very sad place where thousands died; at Waverly, from the one time incurable TB. We recently did a two hour tour and are going to spend the night there in the fall. Might I suggest Waverly as a subject for you o investigate. I would be here for a ten part-er lol if you were to feel moved to do so. Thanks so much for your content. I'm a loyal fan of anything that you produce! Love you so much and thanks for all you do.
This and the episodes on Centrailla are the Stephanie Harlowe I’m living for. Amazing script, particularly how you personalize the individuals once to have lived there is abundant with dignity and respect. The questions prosed at the end of the episode….remarkable. You have an uncanny ability to remind viewers that we are living our history now and the insight it gives is beautiful yet unsettling. You’ve really outdone yourself and I sincerely hope more content like this is to come ❤
Give Stephanie Harlowe her own show finding and researching abandoning places all over the country. I love that your content doesn’t look cheap and rushed like some others make.
INSANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I've missed this segment and was NOT expecting its return to be so stunningly produced. This is amazing, Steph, and I'm still on the intro
Normally I listen to your videos while cleaning or doing other things....when I saw this one came out yesterday I was like not uh that one needs my FULL attention. You did an INCREDIBLE job !!
I'm making coffee and going to take a nice bubble bath. My work day was awful and I'm so happy to see a new video from you! I hope you are doing OK. I went through a divorce in a state where my then husband was my only family so it was tough to say the least! I know things are tough rn but I promise it gets better! ❤
Wow Stephanie!! What a gift you have for bringing a story to life! Your detail and descriptions painted a compelling picture that brought life to the victims of this tragic place! I never imagined I would leave such a sad history video so inspired! Not sure if you will ever see this, but Stephanie YOU amaze me❤
i used to be a residence manager for an ARC. in our new hire training, we watched the Rivers Letchworth documentary. the sights and sounds are haunting, and something that sticks with me to this day
I didnt realize it was your channel I just clicked on the video and as soon as you started to talk I was like yupppp this is my true crime girlie Stephanie!! iconic voice! much love xoxo
living for this style!!!!! i have been here for a few years by now and i love when you switch it up a little and explore other passions- it really shows versatility in your content and you as a person
The work, passion, care and respect that you put into your videos is one of the reasons that I’ll always support you and your channel. As an autistic adult I sometimes wonder how many people like me, probably with far higher support needs fell victim to places like this alongside many others who just needed love, care and understanding 😞
Omg girl, YESSS! You totally outdid yourself on this! Killin it, Steph! GORGEOUS GORGEOUS PRODUCTION and, of course, our STUNNING QUEEN as beautiful as ever!!!!
I am going through a really rough time and I needed something to watch to get out of my head. Thank you so much for always showing up, even when you are also going through a hard time, its not lost on all of us how hard you work ❤ I hope you are doing well❤
Losing my SHIIIT that you’re covering this topic. A Buffalonian who has worked with these populations for most of my career. Thank you for the beautiful tribute.
This was so well done, you should be very proud. I teared up multiple times. I live in NYC and am almost tempted to go visit if only to let any possible spirits still there know that I feel deep empathy for what happened to them, pay my respects, and let them know they aren't forgotten.
If you are able to, that would be awesome. With such good intentions, I think you could give many of them the peace they've never had. Sending you some good healing vibes to take with you if you go. ❤
My uncle who was born in 1942 had Down’s syndrome & my grandparents had to fight the state of Pennsylvania to keep him from being sent away to an ‘institution’!! He was such a wonderful, kind, hard working & funny man who was a blessing to our family!! He couldn’t really speak but a few legible words but we understood a lot of what he was saying!! His laugh was contagious & he had a way of calming cranky babies right to sleep!! He lived with my grandmother until she passed then he went to live with my aunt, his sister, until he passed about 10 yrs later. Thank God he never was forced to go to a horrific place like this!! Thank God my grandparents fought with everything they had against the state!!!
He was lucky to have parents who could afford to advocate and care for him in that time period. I have a cousin with downs but she is very independent and even has a job working with horses. Her parents refused to accept that she had downs and unfortunately were trash parents who were abusive, I refuse to acknowledge them as anything other than trash to me they aren’t even human for how they treated their children. But that girl is so incredibly compassionate, she’s artsy, kind and so understanding of animals and children. I’m not close to her anymore but that’s only because of her parents.
You pretty much described my uncle word for word. It's crazy how you can understand what they're saying as long as you know what going on in their lives. my uncle taught me something about life that I don't think I'd ever have learned if I didn't have the time with him that I did. Truly was a blessing and a privilege.
God bless your uncle, I'm so pleased that he lived a happy life with his family around him.
I am hearting this!! Thank God for your grandparents!!! They knew!! ❤. These institutions are real life horror movies.
Thank you Stephanie for acknowledging this place and expressing compassion for those who lived and died there.
My grandmothers sister fell down the stairs when she was 4 and never recovered to where she “grew up” her body aged but her mind stayed 4 for the rest of her life. She was put in Letchworth Village and I would go see her with my aunts, cousins and grandmother. For my teenage yrs of visiting Aunt Anna there was ALWAYS a dark feeling there. I thought it sad that my grandmothers sister had to live there. My cousin ended up lost in the building and got surrounded by what she says was a demonic feeling. Never liked going there but my sadness for my aunt overrid that feeling of not wanting to be there.
How very sad. I feel real sorrow for your family, especially your Aunt. Your bravery in continuing to visit her is beautiful. ❤
How sad that a man who was trying to do good and help the less fortunate is forever tied in name to this horrible place that so went against his wishes. Great job with this video.
I live not too far from Pennhurst and have known nurses who worked there. Good nurses who did their best in overwhelming situations and didn't want to abandon their patients by simply leaving. It's so sad to see people who have been vilified for being tied to such a horrific place.
This was my first thought as well. I've honestly never heard of this story and accidentally tapped to play but couldn't stop watching...😢
His name is tied to a State Park that most know more than the village.
My same exact thoughts. How sad. My heart aches for these children.
As a disabled person I want to thank you, so very much for bringing stories like these to light. People need to hear more of these stories, people need to face the injustice and acknowledge the truth for a better future for people like us.
😢 I too have experienced being told I am nothing but a money sink, that I should have been thrown out like trash from my own father no less - and from strangers while I'm just trying to live my life.
We're disabled; not trash, not burdens. We're just different. Thank you again, please keep speaking up on such matters!! We CAN make a change if we try hard enough.
Reading your comment, you express yourself with intelligence and compassion. You know who is trash? Your father for saying such horrible things to you. What has he done that's so noteworthy? Thankfully not everyone shares his opinion. Being disabled does not make us less human or less worthy of love and kindness. I hope you are living your best life, having more good days than bad, and find at least one way to bring joy to the world every day. Much love from a perfectly imperfect disabled old crazy cat lady! ❤❤❤
🙏💕
I am so sorry you were told that. Your father is wrong.
@@phaedrapage4217Well said I agree 💯 %%! ! Nothing wrong with loving and caring for cats❤🐾❤
ANYONE THAT SAID THAT TO YOU IS WRONG AND YOUR BETTER OFF WITHOUT THAT EVIL IN YOUR LIFE!! I DONT KNOW YOU BUT I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY YOU ARE WORTH LOVE AND RESPECT 🙏 I PRAY YOUR AROUND BETTER PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU NOW!
I'm a paranormal investigator and historian that can't stand what the field has become. Thank you with all my heart for telling this story so respectfully and compassionately.
They're just so disrespectful. Like they're so concerned about putting on a preformance and get views for their tv show/youtube channel that they completely ignore the fact that the 'ghosts' they're interacting with were once people who deserve peace and not to be screamed at.
@@SjofnBM1989 thank you! I have a channel called spirits Of history that focuses on historical facts about these locations and I call out the liars and people get really nasty about it including death threats. It's sick.
@@Danisuzette can you please link your channel? I couldn't find it, thanks!
@@OzmaOfOzz @spiritsofhistory I don't know if that works lol
This was so beautifully done❤ thank you ❤
I wasn’t expecting OG Letchworth to be such a good guy
Right?!
Absolutely! Considering the subject matter, I expected him to be the reason these poor souls were tortured, when in reality it was HIS vision to see them properly cared for with compassion. ❤
Dude is like legit a saint it sucks it went so wrong
Lol you could spin anybody into being a "good" guy. Like rockefeller
@@eyeThink11 i didn’t know people think he was a good person 💀
THE PRODUCTION QUALITY IS SLAYYINGGGGGGGGG
thank you! It looks so good, right? I'm so proud of it!
@StephanieHarlowe absolutely phenomenal. 💯
No you’re right girl
@@StephanieHarloweIt looks incredible!!
Hell yesssssss
So unbelievably sad. The initial idea sounded like a great place for people struggling with mental illness but the darkness inside humans that comes out when given too much authority over others destroyed what it could've been.
You did an amazing job with this video Stephanie, thank you again. I absolutely love and appreciate your work.
Did I just stumble upon Stephanie Harlowe Premium 😮 This is so impressive, well done!
Ooooh thank you!
Aren't there some amazing channels. Stephanie is 'ok' but much prefer others tbh
@@elainebines6803 then wtf are you commenting on here? If you don't like it, leave.
@@elainebines6803What a rude ass comment.
@@Ryogachik💯💯
Just ONCE I would like to hear of a historic institution for the disabled/mentally ill that DIDN'T turn into a horror show. I don't think it's ever happened.
Right?!
My mother worked in a "developmental center" funded by the state, for the very disabled. Patients that could not get out of bed and often were mentally just as disabled. They shut it down around 2006 for patient abuse. For the same reasons Letchworth turned into a nightmare. Severe lack of funding, overcrowding and too many patients per nurse. She'd even go in there on her time off to volunteer. I think I watched a Ghost Adventures interview and a nurse that worked at Letchworth Village was speaking to them and she ALSO went to volunteer in her off time and go up there and work for free because she said she just couldnt stand knowing that her patients were in there suffering and needed her all the time. My mom neglected us, her own children, to volunteer on her days off taking care of other people's children-not that i blame her! And the doctor is never answering their phone calls to help the nurses to call in medications all the patients needed...these guys were much worse off that the patients at Letchworth. There was no way they could take care of themselves. I think most all Letchworth patients could have been rehabilitated had they not been in a a concentration camp. Lets call Letchworth what it really was. Not a "hospital" or "home". They were slaves unless they were so disabled they couldnt work. I bet a far more significant portion of Letchworth prisoners that couldn't work were overdosed on sedatives than ones that could. Mom said the state couldn't, no, wouldn't pay enough ppl to keep everything in tip top shape and therefore that place ALSO went to hell.
It never happened because disabled people are seen as less than trash and still are today if you look around - while we have come a FAR distance from what it used to be, disabled people are still forced into squalor, forced to live poor, in some states (I will clarify not all) they, we, as I'm disabled; was born that way, can't even get married if we want any form of help - because it will diminish the help we can get. A lot of disabled people are forced to forgo life changing surgeries they NEED, to own homes, cars, get married and live a somewhat normal life. The "help" we as disabled individuals do recieve dictates what we can OWN, in my state if I wanted help (my surgeries would cost well into the millions with the therapy I would need after calculated in) I couldn't own over 2k in 'assets' and if I did? No help.
And I would only get 3-4 months of help after said surgeries before the state pulls the 'help', because after that point they will deem me 'no longer disabled' even though I will need well over 6 months of physical therapy. I can't afford the remaining costs for therapy, so here I am, 32, and practically forced to live with a bent spine and leg deformities because the government so deems it.
We've come very far in terms of accessibility. But NOT far enough. Cities claim they are accessible but some people have to go several extra blocks to get to said accessible entrances etc, what would take an able bodied person 20 mins in travel would take a disabled person well over an hour, I could go on and on about the changes that need to happen but no one listens. 😢 It feels like no one cares about us or our voices, and I hope it changes for future generations - and that more opportunities open up for people like me. I hope children can have a better, more accepting future, but it feels unattainable because certain countries are now k*lling kids with specific disablilties and claiming they're 'curing' the problem - I sadly believe we will never truly be seen as people, but always a burden on society.
7:28 There were good institutions. But they don't make much of a story for RUclipsrs.
Not every one was a horror show and I've met people with fond memories of their time in an institution. We do need to remember why they were originally called 'asylums'. They were conceived as places of refuge for people who couldn't cope with the world.
Perhaps we should pay more attention to who we vote for if we want facilities properly funded? I'm wary of ANY politician who claims they can cut costs and keep cutting them. People suffer as a result.
Amen 🙏 to that 🙏 surely there's got to be 1 historic institution that served the purpose it was intended for! So much corruption everywhere in the world 🌎 😢
I’m a mental health tech who works with children from 5-17 in Oklahoma, and the stories I’ve heard or even looked up is so heartbreaking. When you said that parents just admit their children, when they feel like they can’t control them.. my heart broke in so many pieces because so many of my children walk in and parents admit them and then turn them over to the state or just will try to flat out refuse the d/c pickup date and time. My heart shatters every time. This video was very nicely did and now I’m googling myself. Thank you Stephanie.
That’s so sad. 😢
It was the opposite for me. My mom would admit me just for your attention. I hope people working in your field recognize when parents do this because I think it's about to get really bad due to them getting attention on social media.
Thank you for the work you do! I'm an art and talk therapist with a trauma and crisis treatment program in Ontario that works with patients 18+, and so many of them have been in and out of the system since they were children, at least partly because of parents who were (at least) part of the problem themselves, or just didn't care about their "troubled" (often abused and/or neurodivergent) child themselves. The stories I hear from exactly the kind of kids you work with break my heart too, and they're also a big part of why I stick with my work. I think I might be googling myself too, after all this...
I would imagine that a lot of the parents feel overwhelmed and don't know how to properly care for these children. I think educating the parents better could do wonders!
@@phaedrapage4217 I agree - parents need to be taught how to raise kids! My sister (parent of two wonderful kids) is frequently grumbling that she wishes there were a class on how to manage whichever stage her kids are at. Right now they're 10 and 13, and I think she and my bro in law are doing a great job, but they're still the parents of a teen and a tween, going by the general rules of balancing compassion and reasonable rules, and not repeating their parents' mistakes!
In 1979 I gave birth to our eldest and disabled son, my mother's reaction was to put him into a home. I could never do that to a child I'd given birth to. He's an awesome young man who is very thoughtful of others with a wicked sense of humour, such a blessing to our family. Yes he has difficulties and had many neurological operations but what he brings to this life far outweighs any drawbacks.
How did the relationship between your mother and son turn out? Im guessing putting him in a home was her default reaction because that was normal when she wa younger, so im curious to hear if her thought process changed after getting to know him
@@miemora5920 She wasn't the motherly kind of person. I remember her giving him a cup for Christmas one year which said 'Happy Father's Day' when filled with hot liquid, this really upset him as he will never be a Father. She'd won it on the bingo, where most of their presents came from. When she divorced my father when I was 2 and my sister was 6 months they divided us, my sister stayed with my father but I ended up with my victorian grandmother (children should be seen and not heard) as my mother didn't want me. She only brought me back to live with her when she got pregnant and had a baby to the man she was housekeeping for and they married. I was there as a surrogate mother at 7 years old, doing everything for my baby sister and then a couple of years later my youngest sister was born. At 13 all the neighbours called me little mother. I don't know if she was capable of love as I once asked her if she had ever loved any of her 3 husbands and she said no. The first was to get away from my grandmother, yes the one she left me with, the second she married as she got pregnant by him and her third was to enable her to buy a house. I'm thankful for my upbringing as it made me determined to be the best possible mother and now grandmother to my own children. You have to try to see the positive side of events otherwise you would go crazy.
I'm a frequent urban explorer, the footage you have from the abandoned village buildings is excellent. Fantastic production quality on this, great job Stephanie!
How would one begin to urban explore? I find myself fascinated watching videos of others doing it but feel the need to have the experience even if it’s just once.
@@megcraig15 I used to do some urban exploration, and the first rule is never go alone! There's always a chance of accidents in abandoned places, so having a buddy, or better yet, a small team, is necessary for safety. So is some basic protective gear. I always wore steeltoed Doc Martens or work boots when exploring, along with some solid, long pants, (cargos are good for pocket space!) and a beat up, but tear-resistant leather jacket. Tear resistant work gloves are smart to have with you if you're going to be climbing, or touching anything. (Having an up to date tetanus shot is a good idea too!) A really good flashlight is a necessity, as are extra batteries, and also dust masks for everybody, since you never know what might be floating around or growing in the places you're exploring - anything from black mold to asbestos... A phone goes without saying, in case of trouble, a basic first aid kit is a good idea in case of accidents, (after seeing a friend slice her hand on a bit of broken glass in an abandoned hospital, it came in handy!), and plenty of water, as if you were going on a serious hike! And if your phone isn't enough, bring a good camera, because you'll see some amazing things!
I know all this gear sounds a bit scary, but urbex is an easy way to get hurt if you're not careful, and abandoned places are full of dangerous materials, pathogens, and occasionally people that can really mess you up if you're exposed to them. I've always thought better safe than sorry, and I always came out okay. I was able to patch up a buddy when necessary, (sorry about your hand, Sara, that alcohol hurt but it was for your own good!), and we never ran into a situation we couldn't handle, apart from getting a bit creeped out from time to time. But that's part of the fun, right?
@@megcraig15 there's a couple ways, you can start looking up abandoned buildings/towns/ghost towns, things like that. You could also go on Google maps and look around for buildings that the roofs are fallen in/over grown with vegetation stuff like that. The second one you obviously get more of a chance to hit or miss as opposed to looking up abandoned places. Also when you look up abandoned/ ghost towns/buildings make sure to research them because a lot are closed to the public/have security etc. Where are you? I've been to 30 states and might be able to help point you toward a place to start.
Your final monologue about the cemetery almost made me cry. Very impactful Stephanie
Great to see you on location! I had a family member that was sent to a similar facility many years ago. She was sterilized and lobotomized. This was in the 60’s in Missouri. Letchworth was a large facility, but many, many others were scattered, often hidden in plain sight, around the country. My family member’s illness? None. She was molested by her father and her mother did not want her to get pregnant or tell.
I read a novel that had the same exact circumstance. It was very good historical fiction, read with a book group, so a really impactful thing that I will never forget.
Also with the same group, read “Unbroken” which is the story of Louis Zamperini, the WW2 gunner who survived on a raft in the Pacific after his plane went down for an insane amount of time, then became a POW of the Japanese. He also won a gold(?) medal in the Olympics for running. Apparently he had almost been a victim of the eugenics program when he was a child. Apparently the program was in place until pretty recently in some states- I think the last state to end it was North Carolina.
Wow! That’s so tragic.
Thank you for your kind words. Sadly, I only really met her a few times when I was a child. She was released in her early twenties and married a much older man. Never heard much about her after that. The sterilization laws were crazy and eugenic-based as Stephanie pointed out. The 1927 Supreme Court ruling ( Buck v. Bell, 274 U.S. 200 (1927)) allowed for involuntary sterilizations under the “Three generations of imbeciles is enough.” That said, parents could do what they wished with their kids for the most part. Unruly? Let’s get you a lobotomy! Promiscuous? We can fix that! Many State laws to this day allow for the court to determine if a developmentally disabled person should be sterilized under various “ best interest” or “medically necessary” standards. So, in many ways, threads of Letchworth are still alive and well. It does present a unique debate about rights, dignity, and the human condition.
My great grand mother was in one of these asylums as well due to what would now be diagnosed with PPD. The sickest part is one of the workers there sexually assaulted her which she got pregnant from and they took her baby to put up for adoption… the ppd was to the extreme after that and she was never ever the same. My nana found out when she was 60 years old she had a sibling from that assault at the asylum.
Stephanie please consider covering Dozier School for Boys in Marianna,Fl. It’s a very disturbing situation and there’s still people who lived and worked there that are still alive and dealing with trauma! Thank you for bringing light to this!
There's something so haunting about this series in general - your deep dives (and also Crime Weekly) often tell sad stories, yes, but there's something spiritually profound about these forgotten places where there are people with no names, their stories literally lost, that is sad on a deeper level. They're definitely stories worth telling, and I'm glad that you do.
Was exploring Letchworth and got jump scared by Stephanie and her crew while they were recording this video!
Having a special needs child makes listening to these types of stories extremely difficult. Thank you for not letting them be forgotten!
It makes me so sad to think about what these people went through. My 14 year old daughter has complex disabilities and epilepsy. Heartbreaking to think that children like my own were tortured in this manner and lived in those conditions.
Mama I feel this so much... ❤❤ My heart hurts so much for all the babies and children that passed in that place... My oldest daughter has special needs also andy blood was boiling hearing some parts of what happened... ❤ It's so so sad.
Same here Mamas! I have a developmentally disabled child & I have worked with IDD adults, some of who were sent away to places like this as children, it makes me so sad! Unfortunately even if the parents deeply loved their children they were told these places would be the best/ only option for them, I’m sure a lot of those parents thought they were doing the right thing because like Stephanie mentions eugenics was such an ingrained part of society & these parents were made to feel they were not capable of caring for their children. So upsetting, you would have to pry my child from my cold dead hands! Even then I’m coming back to haunt anyone who treats my baby poorly.
@user-so7vt1uc6p I was 21 when my daughter was dx at the age of 10 months. My ob was our family physian and wasn't running the right test to see what was going on with my daughter. I found a pediatrician and they ordered an emergency mri for my daughter. The next time I saw my physian he asked on an update for my child, when I told him her DX he told me to put her in a home or hospital setting because I would not be able to handle her needs. I proved him wrong and am her biggest advocate. With that being said, I totally understand how parents were put into that position back then and agree with what you are saying. So tragic.
Love and prayers for you and your family
I live in the Buffalo area and my daughter is special needs. I’m beyond thankful for the laws in place to protect her. And the village around us.
I’m in WNY and have the same situation!
Do you use the self directed program for support?
The poetry of narration. The quality of production. Literal.chills.
You rocked this!
breaks my heart that he dedicated his whole life towards this institution to help people when it ended up doing the opposite. very sad
Right? The equivalent of 18m dollars put into something that people just wrecked and ruined turning it into a torturous concentration camp. Sad.
You’ve outdone yourself here, ma’am!! This should be televised!! 🥳😍 This production quality is OUT OF THIS WORLD ❤
There is injustice in this world. People in need were experimented on, hurt or killed. Modern society should learn from these stories and allow people in need to live a decent life, not excluded, not discriminated against or be hated. Imagine being in their shoes.
Omg -girl…. I literally had the urge to stand up and give a standing ovation at the end! Very well done.
We all know you've been going through it, girl. But such a classy, professional, well-spoken lady. Keep on keepin' on, sister.
Damn yall, this looks better than some movies have been looking.
This is really good.
How do we get a streaming service to give you a documentary series? I’d watch the hell out of that!
Haha I don’t need another subscription. I’m A-Ok finding her right here.
we have a streaming service right here!
They'd just control her content and limit what she can say. Not ideal.
@@StephanieHarloweexactly you have a production right here!! ❤
Totally agreed, I'd watch it religiously
This broke my heart. I recall the geraldo Rivera exposé. Also, at one point my son (now deceased) went to live in a care facility, so far and away above anything described here. But, what if Letchworth had NOT been exposed? Would any of the leaks and bounds forward in care have happened?? So many questions. There's so much to talk about. Additionally, when my mother was a young nurse, she worked with the "criminally insane." The stories...omg.
Anyway, thank you Stephanie . 🙏
Mama Harlowe is back 🙏🏼
I'm always with you, my child
@@StephanieHarlowe the fact that I automatically read this comment in your voice inside my head 😂
@@hadleymoore7590 same!
Ditto! & out done herself! ❤❤❤
Same!!! 😂🎉
I was born in Rochester, and spent every spring a fall at Letchworth Park celebrating family birthdays. I live in Michigan now and still go back to Letchworth to hike. So beautiful.
Buffalo born here and our Prom picnic was at Letchworth and many field trips happened there years ago
THE STRANGER THINGS THEME KILLLLLEEEDDDD IT. Nail on the head for exactly what we needed. And the quality of this is literally full crew, documentary quality
Watch all of her strange and unusual!!! They are all great❣️
As a mother to an autistic person, this was a hard listen! I agree with everyone saying that the production was incredible♥️ This is such an important topic. People need to realize how recent these horrific things were just regularly done to people. Thank you.
Miss Harlowe whaaaat?! This is even more next level than usual- and the usual is top notch.
Thank you so much!
I spent two hours on the phone with SSA today, trying to figure out why my disability payments are all messed up, ended up leaving the call crying. Then happen to have a Stephanie Harlowe vid, and its about Letchworth Village. No matter how badly disability treats me, its nothing compared to what i wouldve been sujected to decades ago. My heart breaks for those souls. After being disabled for almost a decade, I took a parttime job working with special needs adults. They are the best 😊 they literally brighten my day. I know they are considered my "clients" but they are more like friends or family. I miss them when i dont see them for a while and I worry about them and their well being when im not around. I was told "you care too much" cause i will fight for my clients, since they cant fight for themselves. Thank you for spreading light on this subject. 💚💚💚 And btw... The cinematography is next level on this one!
Be careful with that emotional baggage, it can burn you out and make you lose a lot of faith in humanity because the system is still so screwed up. I speak from experience. It's important work and the high points are great but it can break your heart. Don't forget to take care of YOU. ❤
Back to your old self with deeply moving storytelling. It's beautiful to see you do what you love so much. Thank you for telling their story.
Strange and unusual is back!! 😍😍😍 The series we definitely need!
My husband worked at letchworth state park before we met, my brother works there now. I grew up spending summers there and never knew this story. I always forget we live in the same area and love to hear the “local” stories you tell!
The QUALITY. Girl, I am in awe. 🔥
Right!
Hi ,Im from the UK and have a son with Autism and LD , it was very hard to stomach but thank you for giving people a reminder of how disabled people were treated in the not too distant past.
You gave justice and respect to those who lived and died there Thank you.x
A very compassionate review of this tragic place of sorrow. This story needs to be exposed. Good job. Thanks Stephanie
A M A Z I N G ! So beautiful to watch & thought provoking. As always Stephanie you spoil us with your amazing gifts & talents 👏 I'm watching from the UK & my son has Downs Syndrome so would have been one of these forgotten if born in those times. Thank you for highlighting this dark & deplorable history ❤
Stephanieee you’re a savior, i’ve genuinely had the worst day ever and you posted just in time…seriously. thank you 🙏🏼 we love you!!
awww I'm so sorry you haven't had a good day but I am pleased to know that I can make it better in any way
I'm feeling the same way❤
Bless you and op. Hope things improve. I definitely relate (recovering addict with a teething 2 month old in addition to chronic depression and anxiety)@@angelascharmedlife
I’m so sorry. You must be in Houston. We’re without power AGAIN.
I hope all of our days get better. Sending positive vibes to everyone that needs them!
Stephanie! This episode was hauntingly beautiful! I have so much love and respect for the work you do, and appreciate that you are bringing to light the stories of these innocent people who tragically didn't receive the compassion they deserved in life. Thank you for always being the voice for those who no longer have their own!
As an *Epileptic* , I am SO lucky to have been born in this day and age 😱
You always create outstanding work, Stephanie!!
❤from *ATX* 😊
Saaaaame!
I was thinking the dame thing! My life would have been wildly different!
5
Makes me sad that autistic children and adults where locked up in places like this..... And you have people saying we didn't have all this autism in my day.... Ye coz you never seen them they were banished to place's like this and forgotten about....
…some of these family members were locked away in rooms, neglected and abused…
I want to assure you both as an adult that fucks heavy with the tism we are alive thriving and stimming In quiet places and being extremely silly 🚨😶🌫️🚨👹🫶
People with milder autism were not institutionalized. There are definitely more diagnoses now. No doubt. It's straining special education services.
@@hopemccubbin8661 people with milder autism wouldn't need special education so I doubt that's an in issue.
@@hopemccubbin8661more diagnoses, but the same number of cases. they just weren't properly diagnosed until recent generations. so it seems like there are more, but it's really just correcting the data to reflect reality. 👍
Thanks for putting the color back in my day, Stephanie!
Stephanie amazing content ❤ I worked with an older man with leaning difficulties who was in a residential placement that was opened as " a colony for mental defectives" he had the most awful gut wrenching experience.The place didn't close until the late 80's, I can only imagine the real horror these people endured ❤️
Wishing you so much love and support, mama Stephanie💖💞 Your work is such a treasure, and your strength is inspirational💗
Thanks to cover this history of this place. Years ago my husband and I visited the site and came across two women who used to work there. They told us stories of their experiences, all positive. How they loved it but struggled with tight budgets. They genuinely expressed how much they cared for the people they took care of. They keep a physical presence to keep it from being destroyed. These ladies want the remaining buildings to be preserved to not lose the history.
I was fascinated by your video on Letchworth Village. I grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, NY and Letchworth State Park was a frequent place to spend a weekend. I have NEVER heard of the Village - terrible hidden history. And just a personal comment - Stephanie you look tired and too thin. I read your post about your divorce. I’m so sorry. I went through that in my late 60s and I understand how devastating it can be to your mind and health. Things will get better over time. Being on your own can be restful and freeing once you cut the ribbons of connection from the dysfunctional relationship. It will take time but in the meantime do some positive self-care every day. You will come through this! Love to you.
Seriously Stephanie you have outdone yourself with this series! I am literally in awe at the production quality. At this point let's just be honest, you are ABOVE RUclips. You are bringing movie quality content to us for free🎥... I'm so excited for more of these episodes!🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Girl I wasn’t ready for that ✨PRODUCTION✨
Killing it as always!
Yayyyy thank you!
WOW!! Hands down my FAVORITE Strange and Unusual video!! The production value i felt like i was watching a feature film documentary!! Amazing job Stephanie!!!
OMG Stephanie Harlowe doing a video on my freakin hometown?! I could tell soooo many stories about this place - can’t wait to watch rn!!!
you live close to here?
@@StephanieHarlowe I live upstate now but I lived there for 13 years, went to high school at NRHS practically across the street from Letchworth. It was kind of a place all the teens went to engage in illegal/unsavory activities since it was (mostly) abandoned. We were never properly taught about the history even though a couple of schools in our district were over there!
I was born and raised in Wyoming County and never had any idea about Letchworth Village / institution!!!! I left NYS in 1994 but lived there 20 years. I can’t believe I never knew any of this.
@@nicdel512I’m from Nanuet!
FANTASTIC WORK !!!! This production is NEXT LEVEL!!! I BOW TO THE QUEEN 👸 👌 Take care Stephanie 🫂❤
OMG! Stephanie!! What can I say? What just happened??? This was outstanding. You literally kidnapped me and wouldn't let go. I've always loved your work, but this, this was a cut above. The narration and the overall production quality took me there with you and I couldn't escape even if I wanted to. I plan to watch again, something I never do. Incredible work! I don't know what you tapped into but girl, this is one of your best. Just WOW!!!
Stephanie… you have so much support.
Thank you for always providing us with top notch content even when you’re maneuvering through some of the most difficult days of your personal life.
We love you. 🖤
Thank you for this excellent video! This is so tragic. RIP to all of the victims
Yes! I'm here for your strange story! I 100% love the way you tell the creepy stories! So glad to see you today❤❤❤
thank you so much; I do have a passion for a good story told propertly, and I hope I achieved that here
Beautifully done!!!❤❤
@StephanieHarlowe coming in clutch! I can't watch you and Derrick until I KNOW the series is done... clowns is my one no-go! Tbh I'm still going to watch it, just binge style so I only have nightmares for 1 night!😂😂😂
Your passion for story telling is shining through immensely with this one Stephanie! Wow!!
I felt a sense of gratitude from those who had the misfortune of living there. Your honoring of the patients is fully appreciated and dare I say freeing?
Thank you!! ✨💖✨
Buffalo native (and resident) here! I absolutely love when you cover NYS history, especially stories ive never heard like this one. Also, production value 💯
Oh this story breaks my heart! I have a beautiful daughter who has severe non verbal autism, I can’t even imagine her going through any of this! It completely breaks my heart to know young children with disabilities were abused like this 😭
I love that you're doing something a little bit different. As much as I love the true crime we all need a little mental break. Thank-you so much! This is great!
Love seeing you outside the studio throwing a nod to history. You are amazing.
Loved this video! Is this a new series for you? The style was amazing. Photos were so graphic and interesting. The thing that made it really interesting for me was, less than a month ago my husband and I took a day trip from Ohio to see the waterfalls! It was beautiful, however at the time I didn't know the back story. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep them coming....no one does a story like you!!❤
The ONLY thing wrong with this amazing 🤩 episode is that I wanted it to never end.
Asylums have so many horror stories to tell & you’re the perfect soul to tell those stories.
This sounds so much like Byberry state hospital that opened in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1907 and closed in 1990 because of deplorable conditions! I'm originally from Philadelphia and can remember seeing the hospital while driving down the Roosevelt blvd. Thank you Stephanie for covering this. Never heard of this. You may want to check out the history of Byberry.❤
I’ve been looking forward to this since I saw your post. Thank you Stephanie for always keeping us nerds entertained ❤️
awww thank you so much for being here!
Wow this video was incredible! Production quality is top notch. Your storytelling is always leaps and bounds above any others. Thank you for telling us about the victims of this tragic institution. 🖤
thank you for being here and watching!
This looks beyond interesting...thank you Stephanie xxx
thank you so much for watching!
@@StephanieHarlowe thank you far more for making me stop watching Netflix crap lol xxx
This is a beautiful gift to the souls who suffered so much at Letchworth. I think you did a wonderful job at reclaiming their humanity.
100% agrreeeeee!!!!
Long time subscriber, I love your content. This video really touched me. I’m the caregiver for my Aunt , she is mentally handicapped. She will be 69 years old this year, mentally she’s about on the level of 8 year old. She’s an absolute joy to me and everyone who meets her. The thought of her being abused , abandoned, or treated like a criminal is absolutely heart wrenching. So much abuse goes on now …. I know an unlicensed group home in Texas was just shut down and the owner is suspected of several murders. I want to believe most of people who own or work at these type of facilities truly want to help but it’s hard and unfortunately it continues on and on.
Thank you , Stephanie for your hard work and for telling the stories of those whose voices have been silenced. You are amazing. Much love to you 🖤
🥹🥹🥹 thank you so much
Stephanie's talent is admirable. Her voice is perfect for this type of stories. I've seen this video 3 times with different family members..
Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing with such detail and respect all those stories. ❤
this script was so incredibly written. well done.
Your research, your delivery, your aesthetics, your compassion, your anger, it’s all so incredible. But your ability to play background music at the perfect level is far superior to anything on this planet.
I love everything about this! It's right up my creepy alley. 😊
SAME!
Omg love this! Local here thank you for covering this historic place
WNY here!
That Geraldo documentary changed my life. I had already been working with special needs kids for several years when I saw it. It absolutely sticks in my mind every day when I went to work for my students. Give them all the love, time, and patience they DESERVE as human beings. It's shocking and moving if you've never seen it, WATCH IT
Oh my freaking God I absolutely love your writing and story telling.I was unaware of the existence of Letchworth Village. I live in Kentucky and we have Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville. Like Letchworth it is a very sad place where thousands died; at Waverly, from the one time incurable TB. We recently did a two hour tour and are going to spend the night there in the fall. Might I suggest Waverly as a subject for you o investigate. I would be here for a ten part-er lol if you were to feel moved to do so. Thanks so much for your content. I'm a loyal fan of anything that you produce! Love you so much and thanks for all you do.
This and the episodes on Centrailla are the Stephanie Harlowe I’m living for. Amazing script, particularly how you personalize the individuals once to have lived there is abundant with dignity and respect. The questions prosed at the end of the episode….remarkable. You have an uncanny ability to remind viewers that we are living our history now and the insight it gives is beautiful yet unsettling. You’ve really outdone yourself and I sincerely hope more content like this is to come ❤
Omg I think about the Centrailla video almost constantly
Give Stephanie Harlowe her own show finding and researching abandoning places all over the country. I love that your content doesn’t look cheap and rushed like some others make.
INSANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I've missed this segment and was NOT expecting its return to be so stunningly produced. This is amazing, Steph, and I'm still on the intro
Normally I listen to your videos while cleaning or doing other things....when I saw this one came out yesterday I was like not uh that one needs my FULL attention. You did an INCREDIBLE job !!
I'm making coffee and going to take a nice bubble bath. My work day was awful and I'm so happy to see a new video from you! I hope you are doing OK. I went through a divorce in a state where my then husband was my only family so it was tough to say the least! I know things are tough rn but I promise it gets better! ❤
Wow Stephanie!! What a gift you have for bringing a story to life! Your detail and descriptions painted a compelling picture that brought life to the victims of this tragic place! I never imagined I would leave such a sad history video so inspired! Not sure if you will ever see this, but Stephanie YOU amaze me❤
Now that’s the voice of someone focused on work ❤
i used to be a residence manager for an ARC. in our new hire training, we watched the Rivers Letchworth documentary. the sights and sounds are haunting, and something that sticks with me to this day
There's my girl ... Coming back SWINGIN, with nothin less than her ABSOLUTE A GAME (PER USUAL) ... get em Steph... Can't mess with the Queen 👑❤👑❤❤❤
We said! Agree 💯
I didnt realize it was your channel I just clicked on the video and as soon as you started to talk I was like yupppp this is my true crime girlie Stephanie!! iconic voice! much love xoxo
living for this style!!!!! i have been here for a few years by now and i love when you switch it up a little and explore other passions- it really shows versatility in your content and you as a person
The work, passion, care and respect that you put into your videos is one of the reasons that I’ll always support you and your channel. As an autistic adult I sometimes wonder how many people like me, probably with far higher support needs fell victim to places like this alongside many others who just needed love, care and understanding 😞
Watching this while hiding in my bathroom with my cat during a tornado warning. The video couldn't have come at a better time!
Oh! Scary. Hope everything is ok.
I hope everything turned out ok for you and your kitty! ❤️
Be safe!
Hope you’re ok!!
Hope you’re doing ok!
Omg girl, YESSS! You totally outdid yourself on this! Killin it, Steph! GORGEOUS GORGEOUS PRODUCTION and, of course, our STUNNING QUEEN as beautiful as ever!!!!
I just finished cooking and serving supper to all my boys. Now I’m relaxing & prepping for tomorrow’s work day. I’m so excited to listen 🎧 ❤❤❤
Normally I just listen to your videos while I’m cleaning. This one was so good that I sat down and WATCHED the whole thing!
What a compliment! Thank you?
STEPHANIE THIS PRODUCTION QUALITY I AM CRYING
I can hear your anger and passion!!!! Love you Stephanie and your true deep dives
I am going through a really rough time and I needed something to watch to get out of my head. Thank you so much for always showing up, even when you are also going through a hard time, its not lost on all of us how hard you work ❤ I hope you are doing well❤
Losing my SHIIIT that you’re covering this topic. A Buffalonian who has worked with these populations for most of my career. Thank you for the beautiful tribute.
Another Strange and Unusual?! Fantastic, you're the best Stephanie!
Stephanie out here creating Hollywood production level docs and handing them to us *for free* 😭 We’re not worthy 😮💨 Keep killin it Steph!
This was so well done, you should be very proud. I teared up multiple times. I live in NYC and am almost tempted to go visit if only to let any possible spirits still there know that I feel deep empathy for what happened to them, pay my respects, and let them know they aren't forgotten.
If you are able to, that would be awesome. With such good intentions, I think you could give many of them the peace they've never had. Sending you some good healing vibes to take with you if you go. ❤