Visiting a haunted asylum may sound like a plot for a horror movie, but for the YouTube channel Yes Theory, it was just another day in their quest for adventure. Their visit to the notorious Pennhurst State School and Hospital, however, proved to be more than they bargained for.
A Ghostly Encounter That Left Them Shaken
Located near Spring City, Pennsylvania, Pennhurst opened in 1908 as a facility for mentally and physically disabled individuals. Its dark history of patient abuse and neglect was exposed in a 1968 documentary, leading to its closure nearly two decades later. Today, it’s infamous for paranormal activity, making it a magnet for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
The Yes Theory team entered the crumbling halls with their usual mix of skepticism and curiosity. Armed with REM machines—devices that detect changes in the magnetic field—they hoped to uncover signs of the supernatural. And they did.
As the team sent out messages of “good vibrations” to the spirits, the REM machines began to beep uncontrollably near a closed door. The moment escalated when one of the members swore he heard a ghostly voice command them to “stop it.”
“If a spirit yells at me to ‘stop it,’ I’m going to stop it,” one YouTuber admitted, visibly shaken. Known for his skepticism, even he conceded, “I believe when I step into it.”
The exploration took an even creepier turn in the hospital’s basement, home to eerie dolls, one of which had glowing red eyes. Though one brave member agreed to stay there alone, the unnerving sounds of dripping water and sporadic REM beeps heightened the tension.
The experience left the team convinced they’d be haunted by nightmares for weeks. Pennhurst’s haunted reputation had more than lived up to its name, proving once again why some doors are better left unopened.
