Incredible Abandoned School Turned Film Studio
Today’s photo album is one of an abandoned school found while exploring through Pennsylvania.
The old Wengler Ave. School in Sharon, PA was once loved by many, as families had shared countless memories within the school. Sadly, all was ripped away by the wrecking ball in 2015.
The school opened in 1927, with some renovations taking place in 1966.
It’s unclear exactly why all was abandoned so quickly, gear and all simply left behind, but one thing is certain – some incredible history was left behind simply to rot and rust away. My hopes are that someone auctioned the equipment to someone with strong interest, but more than likely things have been crushed to dust.
The building closed as a school in 1983 and was sold to Continental Film Group in 1987. From there, movie director Armin Q. Chaudri would come to host tryouts for his films “Tiger Warsaw” and “An Unremarkable Life” inside its walls. Equipment and costumes were stored in the former school, eventually left behind when all was abandoned.
Found in the basement of this building was a former set, used in scenes of the film “Diary of a Hitman” – a film featuring Sherilyn Fenn, Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone, Lois Chiles and Jim Belushi, who also voices Coach Wittenburg in the new Hey Arnold movie set to release this year (2017).
I’m currently seeking out more information about the history of this building, and welcome anybody who may have any to contact me via email at johnnyjoo@oddworldgallery.com
Check out more photos and cool stuff over at:
Thank you for looking, and be sure to check out what I have to share with you tomorrow!
it’s such a shame that this place got the wrecking ball. The idea of an abandoned film school is the coolest thing to me, i would’ve loved to see it and photograph it. Just happy that you got to go and capture this place before it was gone.
I have an office in a 1930’s section of a high school. I work for the school Dist. Netflix has signed a contract with the school Dist for the 3rd floor and the old library space. These pictures remind me that my office walls have so much history. Love your work!
Wonder what was on all those old film reels… such great history lost. This is a wonderful project you are doing. Thank you and congratulations on being Discovered by WP.
I’m sure lots of outtakes from Diary of a Hitman. And thank you!
What a cool place! did anyone rescue all the vintage things – clothing/ film propaganda ect before it was all reduced to ruble?
As far as I know, nobody rescued anything. Though they may have sold some stuff off but I did not hear or see anything about it.
I went to school there as a child in the early to mid-1970’s; and still have family in the area (the footprint of the school/studio is a grassy lot now). These photos are absolutely chilling. It’s amazing how the as the years peel away in my mind, so does the mold and rotting plaster. I can almost smell the blackboard chalk and mimeograph ink again. Excellent work!
beautiful pictures and places here. ty for conservation
I am involved with the Sharon Historical Society. Here’s an update. Continental Film Group went bankrupt in the late 1990’s. The city took over the property and let it sit. Things were left pretty much where the employees left them on the last day. Prior to demolition, the contents were given to a local animal protection group for dispersal. Alot of stuff was infested with mold and corroded from water infiltration. A film school from Pittsburgh purchased most of the equipment at a fair price. Some items went to the historical society (movie posters, scripts, photos, marketing items). Some items were sold on eBay as a fundraiser for the animal group. Some of the building woodwork was also reclaimed. The lot has been turned into a small park by the recreation board.