Brattleboro Retreat history

Work assignments in the garden and dairy farm (the first in a mental institution), located on the 45 acres purchased in 1836, provided purposeful employment for the patients, food for the hospital, and additional operating revenue.

The Retreat's original construction (1838) predates the famous Kirkbride plan, which was to be the model for most asylums built in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Also in 1844, the Vermont legislature passed the Act for the Relief of the Insane Poor, whereby state grants for enlarging the Asylum were terminated in favor of formal payments at the rate of $1.50 per patient per week for care of the state's patients.

From the Newfane jail, Charles Spaulding was taken to the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, where he remained until some time after 1847.

Starting in 1851, additions were made each year for the next three years.

The eight-bay irregularly fenestrated west wing (1854) is entered through a turned-column portico.

There is a pedimented portico first floor central entrance to the 1855 portion, with an adjacent round-arched basement porch entrance, above which are stained-glass windows in brick surrounds.

The north wing is the original "Marsh Building", built in 1857.

The 156-acre Allen farm, including six barns and sheds and the farmhouse, now the Retreat farm complex, was purchased in 1858.

Sylvia B. Hall was in residence at the Vermont Asylum For The Insane until her death by dysentery on August 13, 1859, at age forty-three.

Above the second story, brick is laid in common bond, recording the 1861 roof raising.

The first three stories were rebuilt following its destruction by fire in 1862.

(31) Hay Barn (c.1865?) Located in the same facade line and just south of the 0x Barn (30) separated by a tile silo, is this 1-1/2-story, rectangular, irregularly bayed, clapboard-sheathed barn, on a concrete foundation.

In 1870 a new farm house (26) was built near the site of the Arms Tavern (27), built in 1762 by Major John Arms.

In 1872, the vault was removed and a new one (22) was built.

Fire broke out in 1877, destroying the boiler house, store house, carriage house, and ice house (l-M). The nearby west wing (1-F) was saved only because of the fireproof construction of the brick cornice.

During 1880, thirty acres west of Newfane Road were acquired and, under the direction of Mr.

In 1883 the ridge of the center block (1-A) was raised eight feet, large dormers were placed on each side of the roof, and a cupola added.

A shelter was built by 1887; it no longer exists.

The first part of this cow barn was built in 1890.

1772) In 1893, the summer retreat was converted into a residence for borderline cases and renamed Linden Lodge.

Henry Dawson died on August 17, 1906 and is the only known Civil War soldier to be buried in the Brattleboro Retreat Cemetery.

The existing house on the Capen property was converted to a men's summer residence, "Oakwood Lodge" (49)--another first which it remained until leased to the Brattleboro Country Club in 1914.

In 1920 the original Linden Lodge (42) burned to the ground and was never rebuilt.

(12) Entrance Arch (1922) Located on the east side of Linden Street, directly opposite Linden Lodge (2), this black wrought-iron elliptical arch with heart-motif filigree marks the main vehicular entrance to the Retreat.

The rear (north) side has an octagonal three-story screened brick veranda built in 1929.

(48) Orchard Cottage (c.1930) The northern edge of the Pikeville cluster is defined by this small, eaves-front, three-by-one bay gable-roof frame cottage with dimension-post porch in front.

(8) Ripley House 1931) Originally built as a nurses residence, this U-shaped, 3-1/2-story slate hip-roof Neo-Colonial building was designed by Kendall and Taylor of Boston.

(9) Garage (1932) Located at the southern boundary of the Retreat property is this rectangular, eleven-stall, clapboard-sheathed, flat-roofed garage.

Osgood Infirmary (6), similar to Tyler and Ripley Halls but with symmetrical projecting pavilions, was opened in 1933, providing care for ninety-eight nervous and mental invalids who were also physically ill.

(25) Farm Manager's House (1950) (non-contributing) Located on the west side of Linden Street, just south of and over looking the farm house (26), this four-bay, eaves-front, 1-1/2-story frame Cape Cod style cottage is clapboard covered.

The rear of this block, facing the court yard, is seven bays wide with a 1963 brick elevator shaft partially covering a semi-circular chapel window, matching the front facade window.

A sheltered workshop (5) and vocational training program were started in 1970, at which time the Retreat was designated as the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Vermont, New Hampshire, and part of Massachusetts.

(3-A) Tool Shed (c.1972) (non-contributing) A small wood-frame, novelty-sided, gable-front tool shed stands just to the north of (3).

An additional large modern (1980) single-story flat-roofed wing (non-contributing) is attached to the north side of the rear ell.

A staircase leading to a first floor entrance through the center projecting bay of the south facade is under construction (1983).