Hidden History: Inside the Abandoned Historic Harrisburg State Hospital

Perched on a hillside just north of downtown Harrisburg, you’ll find what remains of the largely abandoned Harrisburg State Hospital.

Opened in 1851 as the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital, this facility served those with mental health challenges until it was finally closed in 2006. For nearly two decades, the buildings here were left largely abandoned, though a few served as storage for state agencies.

In late 2024, the Historic Harrisburg Association was able to secure a few tours of the property before much of it was to be torn down in 2025. I was fortunate enough to obtain a ticket for the final tour of the Harrisburg State Hospital in December 2024.

Note that there are no more tours of this property, and the property is strictly off-limits. In fact, I’ve been told that they have zero tolerance for trespassing, so please don’t try and attempt to visit this property or you will likely be arrested.

I present the photos and information here to showcase the beauty of this space and to preserve in someway the history of the Harrisburg State Hospital.

History of the Harrisburg State Hospital

The Harrisburg State Hospital, opened initially as the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital, was the first state run facility in the state for those with mental disabilities. It was created largely due to the lobbying efforts of Dorothea Dix, an advocate for the mentally ill who helped create mental hospitals in many states in the mid-19th century.

The main buildings of the hospital were designed by John Haviland, who is best known for designing many prominent buildings in Philadelphia including Eastern State Penitentiary, the Franklin Institute’s first building, and the University of the Arts.

Located on a hilltop north of downtown (near the current Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex), it was known as the “City on the Hill” because it was entirely self-sufficient in the care of its 2,000 patients.

Significant change came about in the first quarter of the 20th century when many of the original buildings were replaced (only two small original buildings were still standing in 2024), and the name of the facility was changed to the Harrisburg State Hospital.

The hospital remained open until January 2006, when it was finally shuttered. Since then, it has remained largely abandoned, though a small team did maintain the buildings to prevent decay. I’ve certainly visited abandoned places in PA that were in much worse shape despite being abandoned more recently.

Aside from the facility’s history of care, it is probably best known as the main filming locations for the the movie “Girl, Interrupted” starring Angelina Jolie. The movie, which was released in 1999, featured the hospital very prominently. In fact, several of the spots I visited on my tour were featured prominently in the film’s trailer (For those not interested in watching the entire movie).

Starting in 2025, many of the buildings on the 300-acre site started the process of being demolished in order to build a state laboratory that will serve a variety of agencies. Fortunately, several buildings I was able to photograph such as the Administration Building, Chapel, and Male Library (one of the two original buildings), will be saved.

Sadly, many others, including Green 32 (where most of the filming for “Girl, Interrupted” took place), will be demolished. While I didn’t get to enter most of these condemned buildings, seeing them from the outside gave a glimpse into the incredible architecture and beauty of these structures.

The Administration Building

The Administration Building in the most prominent of the buildings on the former Harrisburg State Hospital campus and was completed in 1895, making it one of the site’s oldest buildings. This three-story brick building was used for offices, as well as housing for the superintendent and some of the staff.

While all of the buildings looked beautiful from the exterior, this was one of the few that also had an ornate interior to match. Though, I suppose that isn’t surprising given its use.

The main highlight in the space is the stunning staircase, though the entryway and fireplaces in most rooms were also quite beauitful.

Interestingly, the building bears a wooden sign that says “Administration Building”. This is actually a left over movie prop from “Girl, Interrupted” that the staff decided to keep.

Given the beauty of this building, I’m very happy to hear that is is being saved.

The Male Reading Room

The Male Reading Room flanks the Administration Building and was completed in 1853. It, along with the seemingly identical Female Reading Room on the opposite side of the Administration Building served as libraries and gathering spaces for residents.

While the Female Reading Room was used as the Dix Museum for many years, the Male Reading Room’s usage is more difficult to ascertain. However, it was expanded at some point, so it’s not as original as the Female Reading Room.

During my tour, we walk through this space, which was quite barren with little to see. Nevertheless, it isn’t every day that you get to walk through such an old structure, so I did find it quite interesting.

As one of the two original buildings, this space will be saved, though I couldn’t find any information on planned uses for the space.

Chapel

The chapel at the Harrisburg State Hospital opened in 1914 and finally gave the hospital a spot for regular religious services. The chapel also hosted various activities including movie nights, thanks to its projector that was installed in the balcony next to the pipe organ.

The chapel is quite large and the lack of interior supporting columns is definitely a feat of engineering that’s worth admiring.

The highlight of the space for me was the beautiful stained glass windows. While they aren’t as magnificent as ones you’ll see in many grand churches, they are very well done and offer great light into the space.

I’m happy that this space will be saved into the future.

Male Convalescent Building

The Male Convalescent Building was built in the first decade of the 20th century and was the primary filming location for “Girl, Interrupted” The architecture in this space is quite stunning in spots, and several shots from the movie trailer I linked above are easy to place within the building.

Probably the most notable feature in this space is the second floor window, which sits directly above the building’s main entrance. This is not only a gorgeous window, but was featured quite prominently in the film.

If you’ve seen the film, or even the trailer, many of the architectural elements in this space will jump out to you, including the curved platforms, nurses’ station, and more. There is also a beautiful staircase in the building.

That being said, these patient spaces are definitely not as ornate on the inside as the Administration Building or the Chapel, though I suppose that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

This building was one of the few that actually was used significantly since the hospital closed, serving as living quarters for an alcohol and drug rehab center, though they moved out several years ago.

Sadly, the Male Convalescent Building is one that is slated to be torn down as part of the area’s revitalization.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Harrisburg State Hospital grounds was on my list for many years, and I’m glad I had a chance to check the site out before many of the buildings were demolished.

While I understand using old buildings can be challenging, and I’m glad the grounds will have a new purpose and not just slowly decay, I can’t help but be saddened by the loss of many of these historic buildings.

I only had a chance to enter one of the condemned buildings, but the exterior of the others that I saw offered a glimpse into the beauty of this site, especially its great architecture.

I am happy that several buildings will be saved, however.

Hopefully these words and photos have given you a bit of an insight into this historic spot and will preserve its beauty and story for years to come. For even more in-depth history, check out this great website on the hospital.

Again, as a reminder, there are no more tours of this property, and the property is strictly off-limits. In fact, I’ve been told that they have zero tolerance for trespassing, so please don’t try and attempt to visit this property or you will likely be arrested.

Looking for nearby places that you can visit? Check out Tours of the Pennsylvania Capitol, the National Civil War Museum, and the Pennsylvania Fire Museum.