Pennhurst: An Exploration of Exhibition and Collection Care Inside a Haunted Asylum

摘要

This study is an imaginative exercise which explores the use of historic artifacts at the haunted attraction Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, Pennsylvania. It is understood here that the use of historic artifacts from the former Pennhurst State School within Pennhurst Asylum inevitably tethers the attraction to the difficult history of Pennhurst State School. This study explores the convergence of dark tourism, exhibiting difficult history, and performance as historical interpretation. Within the context of collections management and public history, Pennhurst Asylum acts as a case study exploring what can happen when difficult history is exploited and commodified.