Some of you may have noticed the large group of buildings, overgrown with vines and trees, located in the town of Wingdale, about 30 minutes south of Millerton. Both Route 22 and the Metro-North train go directly through this outcropping of dilapidated, long abandoned structures many built in a high Victorian Gothic style. Here is a brief history (for more information go to http://www.harlemvalley.org/wingdale/)
The Wingdale Prison - Short lived project
In the Spring of 1911 construction on the Wingdale Prison began. The new prison was going to be a “state of the art” State prison and this specific location was chosen because of its fertile farm land – to be farmed by inmates. Officials were hoping to create a model farm prison and the site was also ideal due its close proximity to the Wingdale railroad station. The entire project was estimate to cost between $4 and $8 million. However, less than one year into the project, Governor John A. Dix called for the abandonment of the Wingdale Prison plan - the official reason, "The objections to the site are on the ground of the proximity of a water-flow dangerously near the foundation levels; inadequate drainage; a questionable water supply, with considerable uncertainty as to its development unless at a very high cost; comparative inaccessibility, with incidental high rates for transportation, and the heavy cost of a completed plant entailed largely by reason of the location". However, some speculate that it had more to do with financial restraints. Only four of the original fourteen buildings were completed including the power plant which is clearly visible today.
The Harlem Valley State Hospital - 1924 to 1994 (a National Historic Landmark)
As the buildings laid abandon the State came up with two alternate plans for the Wingdale Prison; keep it as a prison for "the execution of the death penalty and for the detention of all those who have been sentenced to life in prison" or "turn it into a hospital for the agrarian insane". They went with the latter and, eleven years after the plan for a prison was abandoned, on December 25, 1923, the State announced the prison site would in fact become a hospital "to keep high-grade, harmless lunatics who are physically rugged at Wingdale and work them on farms there."
In August of 1924, the Harlem Valley State Hospital officially opened under the supervision of Dr. John R. Ross (formerly head of Dannemora State Hospital for Criminal Insane). On opening day 10 women and 22 men from Central Islip and Kings Park State Hospitals were the first patients at Harlem Valley. Between 1925 and 1929 the number of patients rose from between 250 and 1294. Along with the power plant (to the west), buildings A, B & C were already completed – these are visible from Route 22 and the Metro North Train to the east. By 1928, buildings F and H were completed as well as the kitchen, tennis courts, and physical exercise and recreational areas. In 1929 new staff quarter were completed and the School of Nursing was constructed in 1926. The Wingdale complex eventually evolved into a town within itself, with a farm, laundry, bakery, refrigeration plants and storerooms.
The Harlem Valley hospital was on the cutting edge of many specialized treatments including insulin shock treatment and electric shock therapy. The year 1956 saw a record census of 5,818 patients and additional construction including a medical/surgical building which was technologically "state of the art" occurred in the mid-sixties. In 1969 modernization of the campus took place including the renovation of open porches into enclosed sun porches.
From 1970 through the mid 1980’s Harlem Valley saw it’s population dwindle mostly due to the “deinstitutionalization” or the discharging of patients into the community. On their 50th anniversary in 1974, Harlem Valley’s patient census was 1897 patients. In the mid-1980’s Harlem Valley’s environment changed dramatically, showcasing its new “Therapeutic Environment” resulting in a demonstrable uplift in morale for both residents and staff alike. The hospital added new lighting, more comfortable furnishings, and accessories, and modified living and common areas, which lowered sound levels, contributed to the more peaceful environment. Even though these improvements were made and the hospital was well known for its excellence and as a leader in mental health services, due to budgetary reasons, the State closed the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center on January 31, 1994. This link is to some photos taken of the campus in 1994. http://www.knollsofdover.com/aerial.shtml.
Dover Knolls – the Future
In 2003 the Benjamine Companies purchased the entire 900+ acre facility from the State for a reported $5m. However, the Benjamine Companies' revitalization project has been stalled for the past several years mostly due to the extensive demolition of buildings containing hazardous materials. That said, the Benjamine Companies has recently competed the restoration of the Manor House and has begun the demolition of some of the buildings including cleaning out of building #4 (the one behind the barbed wire). Most structures will be demolished except for a few including the power plant, the storage house as well as building I and the Administration Building.
The Benjamine Companies’ revitalization project plan is quite extensive and consists of several distinct neighborhoods, as well as the 9-hole golf course. Each neighborhood would incorporate diverse housing types, with available housing opportunities on the west side including single-family homes, duplexes, town-homes and flats. Each neighborhood also contains a hamlet green or other open space to help define its identity, with the two neighborhoods along Wheeler Road including community buildings, as well. In addition,the neighborhoods include a mix of age-restricted, age-targeted and non-age-restricted units. The former Director’s Residence, which has already been restored, and a new clubhouse for the up-graded 9-hole golf course would be centrally located on the west side of the site, and would offer social and recreational amenities. In addition to the age-restricted housing, the project proposes age-targeted housing. These are units specifically designed and marketed for families without children, including empty-nesters, young professionals and single persons, who would enjoy the ambiance and amenities of the proposed development, including the Main Street shopping district with proximity to Metro-North. For more information go to: http://www.knollsofdover.com/pdf/overview_web.pdf or http://www.knollsofdover.com/index.shtml.
For additional information also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River_State_Hospital
and here's a youtube video of the inside http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecBx_KbDSJQ
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