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the main building, was completed in 1876. The first of three powerhouses was built in 1876, the second in 1913, and the present one in 1952. Pavilion Two, which still stands, was built to the left of the main building and was finished in 1881. With the opening of Pavilion Two, the asylum complex as originally designed was completed. New buildings were constructed as needed.
The entertainment hall and chapel was finished in 1883.
The year 1890 was a time of much construction which saw the building of Bolles Memorial Library (between the main building and Pavilion One), Annex 1 and Annex 2 (at the rear of Pavilion Two) and Talcott Hall (connected to the right side of Pavilion One.)
A nursing school was established in 1908. This three-year prograin trained nurses for about 70 years, falling victim to state budget-cutting. In 1909, West Group was built. From June 15, 1972, until September 14, 1982, the building was used to house clients (formerly called patients) from Letchworth Village, a state facility for the mentally retarded in Thiells, New York. When this closed, clients were placed in supervised residential facilities in the community, transferred to other institutions, or returned to Letchworth. Letchworth Village operates houses in Middletown and throughout Orange County.
The Nurses Home was built in 1912, with the Staff House and Ashley Hall constructed in 1913. East Group 70 Building opened in 1921, and the 80 Building four years later. Woodman Hall, the present infirmary was built in 1932, as was Valley Home, now the Quarterway House. Tuckerman Hall opened in 1952, the Schmitz Building (geriatrics) was built 1958, and the Soloman Kleiner Rehabilitation Center was built in 1968. The present administration building was built in 1972.
What could have been Middletown's greatest tragedy was prevented by State Hospital Staff and the Middletown Fire Department. At about 1:10 AM on the morning of October 18, 1921, a fire was discovered in the main building. The 300 patients were quickly evacuated by attendants and nurses. The fire was soon out of control and all of Middletown's fire companies and two from Goshen were called to fight it. Talcott Hall and Pavilion Two were also evacuated. Around 2:00 AM, the brass dome on the tower collapsed, and it wasn't until 4:00 AM that the fire was under control. At 10:30 AM it was finally out. No staff or patients were injured; nine firemen were injured, one seriously. Firefighting efforts had been hampered by poor water pressure, a condition corrected after the fire. Damage was estimated at about $250,000. The gutted building was rebuilt and occupied in 1927.
In 1980, the
State demolished the historic and architecturally significant main building, and with the exception of Pavilion Two, the entire "main building complex." This included Talcott Hall, Pavilion One, Chapel (old entertainment