The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was built in the late 19th century. Its structure is impressive.
It is the second largest hand-cut stone masonry building in the world.
Only the Kremlin in Russia is larger.
The site was used as a state hospital to treat patients with mental illness until it closed its doors in 1994.
But throughout the years, visitors and former employees say they have witnessed paranormal activity inside its walls.
Rebecca Jordan-Gleason is the building’s new operations manager and she thinks the place is haunted.
“I had all the doors in one ward slam on me at one time. That’s like 40 wooden doors, it was extremely creepy, and everybody came running upstairs to find out what happened,” she said.
“It definitely made me understand that I wasn’t alone.”
The hospital performed intense therapy on patients for many years.
Neurologist Walter Freeman spent some time practicing at the hospital.
He is considered to have perfected a graphic procedure commonly known as an “ice-pick lobotomy.”
On the night before Halloween, the Travel Channel’s show “Ghost Adventures” will host a live, seven hour lockdown show at the former hospital in Weston.
Cast members will search the asylum for paranormal activity, interview experts and local residents, and interact online with the television audience.
Charlie Parsons is the Executive Producer for the Halloween show. He says the Travel Channel picked the site because of its detailed history and size.
“One of the tour guides told me there is nine acres of floor space in just the main building alone,” Parsons said.
“Talk about ample acreage to investigate for a live event.”
The state sold the building at a public auction in 2007 to Morgantown contractor Joe Jordan.
The new owners changed the building’s name from the Weston Hospital to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, its original name in the 19th century.
The name change triggered criticism from some West Virginia disability rights groups.
Kathy Muscari is the interim executive director of the West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association.
She says having ghost hunting events like the Travel Channel show plays upon the frailties of others.
“I wish that they would consider ways to have some wholesome fun and have an exciting good time without maybe harming others at least through speech and ideas,” she said.
But Rebecca Jordan-Gleason says they are not intending to offend anyone.
She says the activities promote the area and help generate revenue for Lewis County.
The building’s owners also run a haunted house, give tours, and will have a costume ball this Halloween.
Jordan-Gleason says proceeds will go back into preserving the building.