Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital was a public hospital in Marlboro, New Jersey, United States, which was operated by the State of New Jersey. Construction of the hospital began in 1929.Twenty-Fifth Annual Report of the New Jersey State Hospital at Marlboro for Year Ending June 30, 1955, p. 17. It first opened in early 1931, with Dr. J.B. Gordon as medical director."Public Health Discussion", Asbury Park Press, September 18, 1953, p. 33. According to the site plan, the hospital's campus was on . A perimeter fence completely enclosed the property. The land was mostly a rural environment. When it closed, the hospital was on , having enlarged the grounds over the years. It opened with a capacity to accommodate 500-800 patients.Superintendent's Report dated June 30, 1931. The grounds construction continued after opening and when completed, the hospital was expected to have a capacity of 2,000 patients."New State Hospital at Hillsdale Bright, Cheery," Branch Daily Record, March 9, 1931. However, in 1995, the hospital served an average of 780 adults per day with a staff of 1,157 employees and a total budget of $55.5 million (fiscal year 1995). The budget in 1998 was $68 million. The facility was closed July 1, 1998.Iver Peterson, "At 67, Marlboro Mental Hospital Closes", New York Times, July 1, 1998. The hospital finished complete demolition of the structures, tunnels, roads and other infrastructure in early 2015.

Description Starting in 1928, Five hundred and nine acres were eventually purchased by the State of New Jersey. Some of the land was in Wickatunk for the construction of Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.Hospital to be Built in County, Asbury Park Press, December 26, 1928, p. 1. The hospital's original working name was "Hillsdale asylum at Wickatunk"."County Backs Hoover Business Aid Plan", Asbury Park Press, November 25, 1929, p. 2. It was later known as "The Hilldale Development" before becoming known as "Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital""New State Hospital", Red Bank Register, June 19, 1929, p. 29. When first constructed, the hospital was composed of 17 "state of the art" cottages and central buildings. Each cottage would hold 55 patients. The initial project was budgeted for $6,000,000. Needing additional space, in 1934, two three story dormitories were also constructed for $300,000."Jersey Gets $16,356,465 from PWA for 179 Projects", Asbury Park Press, January 4, 1934, p. 15. In addition to the hospital grounds, the hospital initially maintained outpatient "mental hygiene clinics" in central New Jersey."Don't Worry about War Marlboro Head's Advice", Asbury Park Press, February 22, 1942, p. 10.

Originally set up to treat adults, the hospital started treating children in 1939."Mentally Ill Youngsters to be Treated at Marlboro Hospital", Freehold Transcript, December 15 193u, Page 7 At Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, the cottages were initially Tudor style dormitories which housed as many as 55 patients each. The cottage model was selected because it was felt that treatment could best be provided by grouping similar diagnosed people. The cottages were all constructed around a huge ellipse with the exception of two cottages which were to house violent patients. A decision to provide air conditioning to hospital patients was made in 1965 with a budget of $40,000. This money was obtained from the profits from the patient item store called the "Jigger Shop"."Marlboro Hospital Shelves Pool for Air Conditioning Program", Asbury Park Press, April 14, 1965, p. 13. However, only a couple of high priority areas were done and the rest of the hospital remained unconditioned."Heat Wave Unbearable at Marlboro Hospital", Asbury Park Press, July 21, 1977, p. 4.

A decision to expand the scope of serviced counties occurred in 1972. At that time, Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital which handled Essex county was overcrowded and Marlboro started to receive patients from western Essex county. In January 1972, 150 patients began arriving to relieve the over crowding and facilitate the ability to expand Graystone Hospital."Patients Due for Switch to Marlboro", Asbury Park Press, January 14, 1972, p. 18."Legislation Stopping Transfer of Patients Termed Impossible", Asbury Park Press, January 20, 1972, p. 1.

End of year patient population is shown in graph to right.Data taken from annual reports (stored at NJ State Archives), by Stephen Knowlton

A decision to close the hospital was made in 1995 by Governor Christine Todd Whitman; following a 1993 investigation by then state senator Richard J. Codey, during which he went undercover at the hospital and found rampant patient abuse, wasteful spending, and other illegal practices. His report stated that he saw patients "were treated with less care than the average prisoner." The process was to start in 1996 and complete the process in three years.Abby Goodnough, "No Place to Be Somebody", New York Times, December 24, 1995. The goal was to place patients in community support homes.Robert Hanley, "No More Mental Patients, Some in Resort Town Say", New York Times, June 12, 1995. An initial plan was to provide a $450 a month stipend and "create 40 mobile outreach teams to provide therapy and help with housing, medication and daily living. The teams would include psychologists, nurses and mental health advocates who would be on call 24 hours a day". The hospital closed in 1998.

Structures Fireproof construction

The buildings were considered fireproof - the floors were of concrete covered by linoleum, and the walls and partitions were made of hollow tile. Asbestos was used on pipes and between floors to retard any fire outbreak, which became a significant issue during demolition.

Hospital tunnels

Tunnels were constructed between the buildings to facilitate movement of people and supplies between the structures in all types of weather."Marlboro Hospital Inspected by Point High Nurses Club", Asbury Park Press, March 21, 1953, p. 17. They were used to deliver equipment, food and the movement of patients and staff. In later years, showing their age, the tunnels were problematic. Low-hanging pipes often dropped dirt and other items. They were reported to be "dark, dirty and had a foul odor... there was urine and excrement on the floors"."Marlboro Worker Fired after Food Complaints", Courier News, March 26, 1980, p. 3. The tunnels were also the location of a number of suicides.

Building expansion

In March 1931, five buildings were completed to accommodate 500 patients. A few months later in June, a total of six buildings were completed and four more patient cottages were almost complete. The hospital was originally envisioned as being a "self contained community".Doctor Berkley Gordon - Asbury Park Press, March 15, 1932, p. 3. Originally intended to house a population of 2000 patients; however, 3000 patients was reached in 1933.Asbury Park Press, June 19, 1933, p. 1. In 1937 funds from the WPA were used for a building, added to accommodate 650 additional patients."Marlboro Hospital gets WPA Funds", Asbury park Press, November 30, 1937, p. 1.Asbury Park Press, September 12, 1937, p. 6. In 1939 three additional administrative buildings, silos, barns and some other out buildings were constructed.Asbury Park Press, September 8, 1939, p. 1."Marlboro Hospital Project is Asked", Asbury Park Press, June 13, 1939, p. 3. Overcrowding was again addressed in 1944 with the passage of a bill authorizing $400,000 part of which was for emergency construction of two dormitory units designed for 80 patients each.Asbury Park Press, May 7, 1944, p. 1. Continued to be overcrowded, the hospital population was reported to be 2812 in December 1945.Asbury Park Press, December 14, 1945, p. 12. A state review of the hospital in 1947 showed a census of 2736 patients. The review further stated "the scenes in the crowded quarters for senile patients were not such to make anyone proud of the support... given to this needy group.""Marlboro Has Housing Needs", Asbury Park Press, April 15, 1947, p. 1. In 1949, Dr. Gordon stated that "patient wards have been established in basements, sun porches and corridors.""Overcrowding Blamed for Hospital Suicides", Asbury Park Press, October 7, 1949, p. 1. In 1951, $300,000 was appropriated for a 280-bed building which was constructed for senile patients.Asbury Park Press, October 18, 1951, p. 2. State voters provided a $730,000 bond for the construction of four dormitory structures on the property and provide an additional 312 beds."Relief for Marlboro", Asbury Park Press, July 17, 1951, p. 8. In 1977, the aging hospital required some capitol environmental improvements, electrical upgrades, roof repairs and new boilers. Money was appropriated for these updates in 1975 bond vote."Legislative Leaders Seek Accord on November Bond Question", Asbury Park Press, July 15, 1975, p. 24. In 1987, a $4 million plan to rebuild parts of the hospital included a second admission unit, two more patient cottages, and conversion of medical services building to a day activity center.

Chapel

An interdenominational Chapel was added to the hospital in 1962. The Chapel construction budget was $80,000 and came from profits at the hospital snack shop. It was constructed for religious services as well as for counseling. It had offices for the Roman Catholic resident priest, Protestant chaplain and the part-time Episcopal and Jewish chaplains. There was also room for visiting ministers. It was 33 feet high and 64 feet long and large enough to accommodate 80 people for services. It was a one-story red brick building with a pitched roof."Marlboro Hospital to Get First Chapel", Asbury Park Press, March 10, 1962, p. 12. The Marlboro Hospital Auxiliary funded the purchase of an organ for the chapel."Will Provide Shuffleboard for Patients", Asbury Park Press, April 28, 1962, p. 6."New Chapel At Marlboro to get Organ", Asbury park Press, November 2, 1962, p. 31. The back edifice held a string of bells suspended vertically. The bells represented the faiths which served religious programs offered at the hospital."Architect Uses Symbols of Three Faiths in Designing Chapel at Marlboro Hospital", Asbury Park Press, December 22, 1962, p. 11. In addition to the indoor altar, the building had an outdoor one also to permit larger gatherings, concerts, and other programs.

Other structures

The large barn on the prison property was constructed with funds from President Roosevelt's W.P.A jobs project. This was following approval of $78,761 for construction and improvement of the hospital property.Asbury Park Press, July 8, 1939, p. 1. There was an auditorium built in 1956 for functions and services"Auxiliary to Marlboro Hospital To Be Host at State Conference", Asbury Park Press, January 3, 1957, p. 18. and in 1959 a greenhouse was also constructed for patient occupational therapy services."RFD Club Has Talk on Shrubs", Asbury Park Press, October 22, 1959, p. 19. A medical supply room was added following the awarding of $33,000 budget in 1962. Also in 1962, the sewers and fire hydrants were considered inadequate to the need and required updating."Contract Let on Hospital Job", Asbury Park Press, April 24, 1962, p. 9.

Outreach programs

Bridgeway House