The abandoned Dejarnette Childrens Asylum is both a beautiful and utterly haunting place. I've visited it several times, explored and photographed it thoroughly. It has become a sacred place for me.
When I found out it is due to be boarded up one last time in early July and either razed or gutted, I decided I needed to make one final trip. So, Paige and I made the drive north, spent a little time in downtown Staunton, then met Sarah and entered the hospital.
We arrived there in the late afternoon. I ended up shooting only a single roll of (expired) 35mm in the hour or so of available daylight. I had planned to shoot several rolls of film using my F2 and C220, but my plans were cut short.
Just after dusk we decided to take a break. On our way back to the car, we saw several headlights around where I had parked and assumed we had been caught. But while approaching the police, we soon discovered they were more concerned with my car than us.
Apparently, my Jetta was spotted from a nearby road. When policed investigated they assumed the car had been stolen and dumped, due to its out-of-state tags and secluded location. After giving our identification, explaining ourselves, and receiving a lecture on the dangers of trespassing and asbestosis, we were allowed to leave.
After that, we called it a night, deciding not press our luck by going back in. And of all the times visiting Dejarnette, it's kind of nice that we were run-off by the police only this one final time. It seems somewhat appropriate, and a rather fitting end to it all.
I only wish I could've taken more photos.
Nikon F2
Nikon Ai 20mm f/2.8 lens
(very expired) Scotch color 100 35mm film
