Newtown High School students Sable Stevens and Matthew Hunt
designed an official website for Fairfield Hills for an
independent study project this year. --Bee Photo, Lytwyn
Fairfield Hills' 16 buildings are well worn, and their history as
a state mental hospital continues to inspire tales of restless
souls - and modern adventures by the restless souls of youth
drawn to the mystery and myths of the old abandoned state
institution.
At least that is what Newtown High School students Matthew Hunt
and Sable Stevens say. Matthew, a member of the Class of 2003 and
self-described web designer, joined with Sable in an independent
study project this spring that turned their interest in historic
landmarks into course credits. Their project, "The Lost Asylum:
Fairfield Hills State Hospital," a web documentary was posted May
18. The students expect the site, which is still partially under
construction, to be complete by July 31. It can be found at
www.fairfieldhills.us.
"There's a lot of rich history in Fairfield Hills," Sable said.
"It's not all very pleasant, but it's still a part of our past."
The more than six-month project involved gathering countless
pages of research, conducting interviews with area experts and
officials, and taking approximately 4,000 pictures of Fairfield
Hills. Sable took most of the photographs.
"We've included audio access to all of the interviews we
conducted," said Matthew, "and explain, in-depth, Fairfield
Hills' history."
Interviewees included former shock therapists and local
pharmacists oriented with mid 20th Century procedures used during
the hospital's prime. Maintenance workers, security guards, and
other officials served as guides on their many tours.
Once, Sable said, she and Matthew were temporarily separated from
their guide. "He soon came back," she said, "but we were alone
for a little bit. It was pretty creepy." She said that while some
of the more recently constructed buildings, such as Newtown Hall,
were in fairly good condition, others, such as Litchfield Hall,
were in comparatively poor shape - and a disquieting place to
visit, especially after dark. "It's kind of scary," agreed
Matthew, "there's no lights or anything. There's only, like, one
security truck that rides around. Other than that, it's pretty
much deserted."
Not surprisingly, perhaps, Fairfield Hills has acquired almost
legendary status among local youth. "On the website's message
board," said Matthew, "there are a lot of kids who talk about
ghosts haunting some of the buildings."
To see these apparitions, of course, ghost-hunters must enter the
buildings late at night - trespassing on state-owned property.
"There's a lot of vandalism that goes on," admitted Matthew. "On
the [website] message board, a lot of kids talk about their
experiences breaking in." These users, he was quick to add, are
immediately blocked. "We also have a disclaimer on the website
that discourages people from trespassing," he said. "We
absolutely, under no circumstances, condone this kind of
behavior."
As for the future of Fairfield Hills, the town is currently in
the process of reviewing a master plan proposing how to use the
site's 189 acres. Since much of the property is located on open
space, the six-point plan partly consists of setting aside a
fair-sized portion for recreational use. Other elements include
the renovation and conversion of some buildings to town offices,
community/recreation centers, and even commercial,
revenue-generating businesses.
Matthew and Sable, who know little about the local government's
plans, simply said that they want the existing buildings to be as
architecturally preserved as possible. "[The Hills] are a part of
our history," said Matthew, "and we have to maintain it."