The Rise and Fall of Greystone

Built in 1871, Greystone Asylum for the Insane held the world record for largest foundation until it was surpassed by the Pentagon. During its 120 year history, it served as a compassionate model for the treatment of mental health, advocating fresh air and vocational therapy over more barbaric methods. It even played a major role in discrediting the practice of lobotomies. Despite these noble pursuits, Greystone would fall victim to overcrowding and neglect, which unfortunately became endemic to psychiatric institutions nationwide. The iconic kirkbirde building, was lost to us forever when it was demolished in 2015. Today, the site is part of the larger Morris County Government complex.

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Sources:
https://cdm16100.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16100coll1
https://preservegreystone.org/history-html/
https://weirdnj.com/stories/greystone-park-psychiatric-hospital/
https://njmonthly.com/articles/historic-jersey/greystone-state-psychiatric-hospital-oral-history-project/
https://www.greystoneoralhistory.com/greystone-history/https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/nurses-institutions-caring/history-of-psychiatric-hospitals/