Thousands Are Calling For McKamey Manor Shut Down

McKamey Manor describes itself as “an extreme haunt," but the attractions have come under fire and petitions are gaining traction to have them closed. Residents of Tennessee and Alabama, where the McKamey Manors are located, have started a petition to shut down the attractions, claiming each is a "torture chamber disguised as a haunted house." So far, more than 65,000 people have signed it.

During the McKamey Manor experience, which can last up to 10 hours, visitors are bound with duct tape, "forced to eat things" and sometimes even waterboarded, according to the petition. It claims several visitors have had to seek medical or psychiatric assistance after enduring the attraction's horrors. Owner Russ McKamey, who calls himself a "very straight-laced conservative guy," says, "People think this is a torture factory, a fetish factory -- all of these things that it’s not."

Two key things to note about McKamey Manor: a) they do not charge for the experience, and b) there is a rigorous screening process before anyone is approved to participate:

1. 21 years of age or (18-20) with parental approval
2. Provide a letter from their physician to verify their physical and mental health
3. Undergo a background check
4. Advance screening interview via Skype with Russ McKamey
5. Sign a detailed 40-page waiver
6. Provide proof of medical insurance
7. Pass a drug test on-site

The owner and creator of the attraction Russ McKamey has posted an article about the