Search area--mental institution?

7up2000 · Dec 6, 2015

Are abandoned mental institutions good places to detect?--specifically the grounds or grassy areas? I've never tried but have thought about it if I could find one. Maybe someone out there has experience with it. Has anybody ever MD'd Willowbrook on Staten Island? Thanx to all who respond.

bill from lachine · Dec 6, 2015

The patients probably didn't have anything of value to loose....but probably visitors and staff might have taken a break or picnic on the grass and lost valuables.

Regards + HH

Bill

TheHunterGT · Dec 7, 2015

Mental institution probably means plenty of unruly patients flailing about with angry outbursts and such......hopefully outside.

Surely a doctor or nurse had to help subdue a patient and got knocked around a bit....some old medical equipment very well could have been dropped. Old syringe...old scopes...who knows.

I'd search it just for the hell of it....old medical stuff is rad.

Crappies-n-Coins · Dec 7, 2015

I'd be inclined to research what the building and property were used for prior to the institution. It may not have been its original purpose. Outside of that, if you can gain permission, hunt it. What have you got to lose?

Gold Maven · Dec 7, 2015

Only if they hosted annual fund raisers, carnival - festival, etc.

I hunted a very old County home, 150 yrs+ and it was a total waste of time. GL

Cletus · Dec 7, 2015

we have a old institution in our area. it dates back to the early 1800.
im not sure how long it was open. but there has been some fantastic relics dug there.
you would be crazy not to give it a try lol. Good luck

boogeyman · Dec 7, 2015

You'd have to be crazy to search a mental institution!! :tongue3:

No seriously around parking areas well used paths going from the parking area or road up to the entrance would be a good place to start testing. might be an excellent place since it's probably been passed over by everyone else. Don't forget benches or places where they were, might be some good pocket spills!

T.C. · Dec 7, 2015

Oh Crappies....you left yourself wide open on that one!! "What have you got to lose?"....here it comes....drum roll please....your sanity!! :laughing7:

Crappies-n-Coins said:
I'd be inclined to research what the building and property were used for prior to the institution. It may not have been its original purpose. Outside of that, if you can gain permission, hunt it. What have you got to lose?

Crappies-n-Coins · Dec 7, 2015

T.C. said:
Oh Crappies....you left yourself wide open on that one!! "What have you got to lose?"....here it comes....drum roll please....your sanity!!

LOL, been there, done that, got the T-shirt :thumbsup:

Z.K. · Dec 7, 2015

probably find lots of lost marbles and loose screws.

In all seriousness, would probably be worth it, though if it existed into the era of iv antipsychotic meds (50s) there would be a risk of discarded hypodermics...maybe no more so than an urban park though.

relicmeister · Dec 8, 2015

Treasure hunt by day,
Ghost hunt by night

mrwilburino · Dec 8, 2015

From my experience working with mental patients (real ones, not just co-workers)...... it's unlikely that the patients carried any coins; there would be nothing to spend them on. Also unlikely to see any syringes or any type of sharp metal objects. Anything that could be used as a weapon against others or for self harm is very tightly controlled. Patients who were violent or suicidal would remain in the facility 24/7, but others may have been allowed out on the facility grounds for picnics and other activities with visitors and staff. Look for areas that may have been designated for recreation. Things you're likely to find: coins from staff and visitors, medical insignia from staff, religious items from patients. Should be some interesting hunting.