Mummies of Philippi and the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: Weston, West Virginia

Graham Hamrick developed an embalming technique in the late 1800s and used bodies from a nearby insane asylum to practice and refine his methods. He experimented with his embalming fluids on fruits and vegetables before applying them to human bodies successfully.
The embalmed bodies, often referred to as the "insane mummies," were said to have traveled with P.T. Barnum and his circus, which added an element of showmanship to their history. The Smithsonian Institution expressed interest in displaying Hamrick's work but was refused access to the embalming formula, leading to the mummies being returned to Philippi.
Today, these mummies are on display in a small room at the historical society, having been restored and preserved to some extent. Just down the road, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, also known as the Weston State Hospital, is a historic mental institution located in Weston, West Virginia, USA. The asylum was completed in 1864. It was initially built to accommodate 250 patients but later became overcrowded, housing over 2,400 patients at its peak in the 1950s. It is one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the United States. Like many institutions of its time, the asylum used various treatments for mental illnesses that are considered inhumane by today's standards. These included electroshock therapy and lobotomies. As the field of psychiatry evolved, the asylum's practices changed accordingly. Today, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum offers guided tours that allow visitors to explore its historic architecture and learn about the history of mental health treatment in the United States. It has become a popular tourist attraction and a place for paranormal enthusiasts, as it is rumored to be haunted. The asylum has gained a reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activity. Some visitors claim to have experienced ghostly encounters and strange occurrences during their tours.