The Belchertown State School in Belchertown, MA, is rumored to be haunted due to its dark history of abuse and neglect. Ghostly encounters and paranormal activity are often reported by those who have visited the abandoned grounds. The institution, originally named the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded, opened in 1922 and was known for its inhumane conditions. Staff were overworked and the wards were severely overcrowded. Residents, who were largely non-verbal and developmentally disabled, were subject to mistreatment. Reports detailed residents left in their own excrement for extended periods due to understaffing. Some patients were reportedly force-fed, while others had their teeth removed to make feeding easier. The site includes a cemetery with more than 200 nameless graves, which some paranormal enthusiasts believe is a source of spiritual unrest. Visitors to the abandoned buildings and surrounding property have described a range of unsettling phenomena. Reports often include: Ghostly figures have been seen in the buildings, with one legend telling of two residents who were forbidden from seeing each other and whose spirits still wander the grounds. Chilling sounds such as screaming, crying, and the footsteps of people running down hallways are frequently reported. Accounts include doors slamming shut, locking on their own, and windows breaking spontaneously. Temperature fluctuations are common, with cold spots appearing in various parts of the buildings.