the ridges lunatic asylum

built : 1874
abandoned : 1994

featured in an episode of abc's "the scariest places on earth" as the 13th most haunted building in america, the ridges stands tall on the campus of ohio university. this was my first kirkbride asylum to explore. i've read so much about them and was very excited to get inside. the kirkbride plan of architecture is set as follows:

the administration building is in the center, with the male ward branching off to the left and the female ward branching off to the right. this design was used to "promote privacy and comfort for patients". it was best described in the movie session 9: "it's a simple layout. if you consider a giant flying bat. the main staff building is in the middle. slanting off to each side are these crooked bat wings. one for female patients, the other for male. a bat."

anyways, the building is partially in use. the former administration building has been turned into the kennedy art museum, and the former male ward is used by art students. the former female ward is entirely abandoned though, and tough as hell to get into. we were in the former male ward. the pictures are below.

::more pictures::
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