Stranger Things Season 5: The Creel House and Berry's Role

After years of eerie adventures and supernatural suspense, Stranger Things returns for its fifth and final season on Netflix, beginning November 26. While fans eagerly await the showdown with Vecna, Georgia locals have another reason to celebrate. The spotlight is once again on Rome, Georgia, home to the iconic Creel House.

But did you know that Berry College, just minutes from downtown Creel House, played a major role in Season 4 as a Georgia filming location?

Berry College as Pennhurst Mental Institution

In Season 4, Nancy and Robin sneak into the chilling Pennhurst Mental Institution to interview Victor Creel. The haunting halls, gothic gardens and wood-paneled offices weren’t Hollywood sets. They were filmed at Berry College’s Ford Complex. The Ford Buildings, known for their Oxford-inspired architecture, became the perfect stand-in for the fictional institution.

While the criminal ward was a set built to match Berry’s aesthetic, the rest of the scenes were filmed in real campus locations, including offices, dorm lounges and gardens.

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Why filmmakers love Berry

With its diverse architecture and breathtaking natural surroundings, Berry College offers filmmakers an unmatched canvas for storytelling. From gothic towers to lakes and rolling fields, the campus provides a wide range of settings that can transform into anything from Ivy League institutions to European villages. This versatility is one reason Berry has become a sought-after filming location in Georgia. For example, you may recognize the Old Mill or Mary Berry’s historic home, Oak Hill, from TV or movies.

Berry College also consistently ranks among the most beautiful campuses in the United States, earning praise from outlets like Travel + Leisure, Buzzfeed, Architectural Digest and Southern Living. Directors and location scouts are drawn to its cinematic landscapes, which include mountains, forests and historic buildings that blend seamlessly into a variety of film genres.

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Why creatives love Berry

But it’s not just filmmakers who love Berry. The college’s reputation as a creative hub extends beyond its filming locations. In a historic sweep at the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards, every student media outlet at Berry was nationally recognized in the same year. Viking Fusion, the student-run multimedia platform, earned “College Media Group of the Year” and “TV Station of the Year,” while Valkyrie Magazine was named “Feature Magazine of the Year.”

The Campus Carrier and Ramifications also placed among the top in their categories. These honors reflect the depth of talent and storytelling happening on campus, reinforcing Berry’s growing influence in academic and media circles.

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Season 5’s spotlight: The Creel House

While Berry doesn’t appear in Season 5, the nearby Claremont House in Rome, used as the Creel House, is back in the spotlight. This Victorian mansion, featured in both Seasons 4 and 5, has become a pilgrimage site for fans. Though it’s now a private residence, its eerie facade continues to captivate viewers.

Plan your visit to our Georgia filming locations

Whether you're a fan of Hawkins lore or a film buff chasing iconic locations, Rome and Berry College offer a unique blend of cinematic history and Southern charm. From the deer that mesmerize LA producers to the stunning Ford Buildings, Berry is full of surprises. It’s also a worthwhile college to visit!

Want to learn more about filming at Berry College? Contact Chris Kozelle in the Office of Public Relations to explore the process, rates and opportunities. Or want to learn more about the communication department or student filming experiences at Berry? Contact the admissions office to learn more today!