The locally produced film “Bookbinder” opens Friday, October 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.with discussion/Q&A to follow. The movie is based on the ghost tale about a man named “A. Manual Bookbinder” from the Peoria State Insane Asylum. His story is finally brought to life in all its creepy glory. Based on a true story that took place at the Peoria State Asylum for the Incurable Insane from 1906 to 1911 and its haunting.
So is the old Bartonville hospital really haunted? Scores of people who have visited the place certainly think so, including experienced investigators. It certainly has more than enough opportunity to be haunted, even excluding the story of A. Bookbinder and the haunted tree. The atmosphere of the place alone is more than enough to justify the reports of the apparitions and strange energy encountered there. The residual impressions of the past would certainly be strong in a building where mentally ill people were housed and where “psychic” disturbances would be common. There is also the matter of conscious spirits. Hospitals have long been places where the spirits of the dead are said to linger. Besides that, the hospital was the only home that many of the patients knew and they are going to stay where they are the most comfortable. (source: http://www.prairieghosts.com/barton.html)
I helped out a very small amount on the film. Mostly, I was encouragement:) The donations go towards the current Bartonville hospital grounds and building. Please come check it out!
For more information on the film visit:
http://www.peoriatheater.com/peoria_theater/Home/Entries/2009/10/30_Bookbinder.html
