Greystone's Last Stand - Extended Preview

The sprawling Greystone Psychiatric Hospital sits on a hilltop in Parsippany, NJ. It was constructed there well over 100 years ago, opening in the summer of 1876. At the time of its completion Greystone was the largest singular building in the entire country, and held that title until the Pentagon was completed in 1943. The enormous facility was constructed following the Kirkbride plan. Named after Thomas Story Kirkbride, it was a model of psychiatric hospital that featured large wings of wards stretching outward from a center point, which was often the main entrance and administrative area of the facility. Though often seen as eerie places, these old asylums were actually built with the best of intentions for the patients. Yes the sprawl of these wings may seem imposing to an outsider, but they were purposely created narrow to allow patients constant window views and plentiful sunlight. Since the wards were indeed slender in design, they had to make them exceedingly long in order to allow adequate room for the thousands of people living here. Today the grand old hospital stands abandoned, as it has been since 2008.
The state of New Jersey now seeks to demolish this majestic building to create open space. This is to be done at an estimated expense of some $50 million in taxpayer funding. Several groups have already come forward and presented plans to the state, all with great interest in preserving and reusing the entirety of the old Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, and the funding to back their projects. However, for reasons that still have yet to be properly explained, the state has chosen to forgo all of the proposed plans for redevelopment, and instead wish to raze the entirety of the building.
If we lose Greystone it will not only be a terrible blow to national history, architectural preservation, and environmental accountability, but it will be a great disservice to future generations who will never be allowed to experience this monument to architectural engineering and psychiatric medicine. "Greystone's Last Stand" will follow the story of Greystone Psychiatric Hospital as it unfolds.
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Also - Please, if you like what we're creating here, share it around. We want word to spread about the state's plan to level the old hospital. The demolition of Greystone will be an event universally regretted by future generations. What we have, sitting abandoned in New Jersey, is a historical gem. Something to be celebrated, not destroyed.
Narrated by Mark Moran of Weird NJ
Music:
"Dark Walk", "Heartbreaking", "Lone Harvest", "Reaching Out", "Fairytale Waltz", "Dark Times", "Eternal Hope" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"As the Crow Flies" by Timothy Vajda
Opening news report footage of Greystone's exterior by News 12 NJ
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[@DarkStormProduction5]

This actually truly upsets me. Why demolish it? We could of even made money off of the place with tours as a historic landmark. Truly truly sad. It's something we will never again get back.

[@jimmyfaustjr6413]

Its a wasteful society. Sadly.

[@stevestarr9769]

I applied for a job there around 2000, and worked for an agency had several group homes just off the property--the houses were former residences of Greystone employees. Many clients I worked with in the group homes were former patients there. The building was huge, creepy, and SHOULD have been protected as a historical site. Despite it's history, it was a part of NJ history.

[@drdevo77]

I was The Exterminator there for 3 years! I had the keys for the whole complex! I'll tell you...It was truly a fascinating place. I explored that building up and down when I had extra time...since I was on the property for 8 hours on Tuesdays. I had taken some great pictures over those years! I'll never forget Greystone! My best memory was visiting Woody Guthrie's room where Bob Dylan came to visit him! Too bad it's gone now! It's only a Memory!

[@joebelveduto4628]

so cool! who you be down to come on my podcast and talk about your experience there?

[@jennifs6868]

My grandfather was a patient there for 35 years. He died in the early 80s. I never met him, but perhaps you did! I became a huge Bob Dylan fan, and often thought about my grandfather being there with Woody, and the chance that maybe he got to hear Bob play a song.

[@christinedahlgren5877]

Grover and Peggy were both part of why I survived Greystone. They were lights in the darkness. Thank you both.

[@AntiquityEchoes]

They are amazing souls.

[@LeoJBatt]

I worked here for 5 years as a social worker, and it was a very magical place.

[@AntiquityEchoes]

The loss of Greystone was a tragedy on a national level.

[@David-vn2id]

I stayed there in the early 90s for three months. I am not disappointed it was demolished....

[@JoeyMayo]

@@David-vn2id Hope all is well. I visited a friend there once. As I recall, it was a scary place.

[@johnchristakos9736]

I had an uncle in Greystone. He was committed in the late '40s and was there for decades, throughout the height of the overcrowding and abuses. My father visited his brother a few times in those early years. He refused to speak about what he saw but I know it affected him terribly: in his dotage, dad was terrified that he would be "put away." Robert Kirkbride nails it: Jersey needs to preserve the building not only for the architectural value of the Kirkbride structures but as a tangible reminder of the grand vision and failed execution of the Kirkbride philosophy. Love your photographic work, Rusty, and look forward to seeing the documentary in full.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@1940limited]

Here's are a few Greystone memories that I have which are mostly second hand, but I wanted to share them. I lived in Morristown from 1956 until 1983 and continued working in and around that area until 2006. As time went, probably in the 80s or 90s, by I began to notice the place falling into disrepair and wondered what was going on as I just assumed it was still operating. Cruising around as kids back in the 60s and 70s we passed Greystone quite frequently. I remember when the rail siding was still intact and in use and cows in the fields adjacent the main buildings. One time my older brother drove past the place. A woman, apparently an escaped patient, was standing out front trying to thumb a ride. She lifted her dress to get my brother to stop, but he kept going. Another time when I drove by I noticed a man, apparently a patient, on one of the caged in porches a few stories from the ground. He was hanging onto the rails looking rather forlorn, but I can still see that image in my head. My father made a trip to Greystone on business back in the late 50s or early 60s. He was there to inspect the heating system as they needed some repairs and he sold the water pumps used in the system. He remembers hearing the howls and screams from patients confined to locked rooms as they walked the long hallways from ward to ward. While inspecting the various rooms he and his escorts went all the way out to the farthest extremes of the wings where the worst cases were kept. By the time they got to the last room patients didn’t even have any clothes on. One of the locks between the wards didn’t work too well and they were caught inside a large room of naked patients for a while. The patients started to notice their presence and began moving closer to them. He said it was really scary, but they got the lock to work and exited before anything happened. That's the way it was back then. We have better ways to care for the mentally ill today, at least those that aren't homeless. I do hate to see the place has been torn down. I've been following this case for a while and so hoped it would be preserved. It seems as if it were properly run and cared for it could still be used or better yet let someone take it over who has the funding. This is a great loss to the community. It's too bad more people don’t care about historic preservation. Closed insane asylums all across the country seem like such a terrible waste of resources. They should be renovated and repurposed.

[@1940limited]

Very poor management is the biggest problem. It's typical of what happens when government takes over.

[@nicolebarr9632]

Sadly the building has been knocked down R.I.P Greystone😥

[@jimmyfaustjr6413]

:( rip Greystone torn down for no good reason

[@rallyx900]

Antiquity echos, thank you for this. It's sad that nobody seems to have the time or money for our history anymore. Why keep and re-purpose a beautiful old building when it could be a money making shopping mall, or office complex... I am so fortunate to have had the privilege to visit these old places before they are gone. The Ringwood manor is still one of my favorite places in NJ as is skylands, and even Centenary College (If you haven't been there it's well worth the trip). You can feel the history and learn something new with every visit. It's something I wish that I could share with my children someday, but I'm afraid it's not meant to be. It's a shame that people see our history as something we need to erase.

[@pikaluv43]

+rallyx900 we are alot poorer because of this

[@patjoppien]

I spent a month there when I was in Nursing School (1968) - It sure was not the highlight of my education - I saw some things that I have never forgotten - I still see the faces of a few - and I see the ones that were not so nice to the residents - pick them up and bodily throw them into the confinement cells by the seat of their pants - locked up in a room with a mattress and a toilet - Insulin Therapy - Electric Shock Therapy - super glad it was only a month -

[@AntiquityEchoes]

When a place like Greystone is lost, so too are the stories it held. Both good and bad.

[@ETphonehomeXfiles]

WE just cannot LET THEM close this down...It needs to be honored to THOSE who suffered because of staff who neglected them..families who left and forgotten them...WE are a different breed of loving people...THIS place needs to be restored...in a POSITIVE LOVING light..to let those who have passed that WE DID NOT forget them...WE need to give support for this place to be restored...a building so magnificent and yet treated the people inside horrifically...The good and positive people must show the city ...there is good here for a change AND not what these people endured while they were there...many now are more away of the horrors on how the special people were treated and WE WILL NOT stand for that anymore...Fix it..make a a GREAT rehabilitation center in ALL IT'S GLORY...it is a gorgeous reminder of days gone by..and archaic treatments that WE WILL NEVER EVER LET HAPPEN AGAIN...in HONOR for those who suffered there..I cry every time I see this buildings and other buildings which were built to help the less fortunate and those with medical conditions and other situations...HOW can we let this go..HOW can we just trash it and let it go down..make a spot to clean up to educate those who have no clue how badly these people were treated...Like they did with Ellis Island they did not tear it down...they showed people what the immigrants went through...EDUCATE our young so what they did back then WILL never happen again....HE STATES..no one cares?? WE DO CARE....NEVER SAY NEVER...start caring...

[@ETphonehomeXfiles]

how come we cannot get some contractors..to donate some of their talents??? Why..

[@kissinconcert8]

Angelic Heart Alma Realty from New York offered to buy the building and land and refurbish the building on their own funds. Christie Denied them in favor or a tax payer funded $35,000,000 demolition. www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2014/07/morris_freeholder_wants_state_to_consider_developers_proposal_before_demolishing_greystone.html www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/nj-nothing-will-stop-greystone-wrecking-ball/12158975/

[@1940limited]

+DJ Levine That's enough reason right there not to support Christie for president!

[@lrb05131963]

The staff at grey stone tried to murder me back in 1983-85...a horrible abusive place where many were murdered by the hands of staff members ,grey stone had its own police,fire station,and morgue with its own cemetery ,no wonder they got away with so much evil.....I thank Jesus Christ for delivering me out from that darkness into His marvelous light

[@Meller68]

My Grandmother, Ethel Donchevich, retired as Director of Greystone in 1986 because she was so sick and eventually passed away from diabetes. I remember being there when I was a teenager in her office not even realizing what the history of the hospital was. It's a shame that I didn't take more interest of what she truly did in her lifetime. Starting in WWII at Mason General Hospital. Graduating from Wagner College, John Hopkins and then her Master's Degree from NY University. Was awarded the Florence Nightingale Award of Excellence and was a member or the National Nurses Association. My life may have been a whole lot different if I had listened to my families cries to be like her and accept her guidence to get me into the best schools. Even without even knowing what she achieved in life. She was my hero. I miss you Grandma ❤️

[@jacquelinekruger6056]

May I ask, "What happened to the 7000 patient/residents of Greystone? Arent' they the ones living in card board boxes and under bridges....you know them....they are the HOMELESS. It is called de-institutionalization. What kind of people have we become when we no longer care about those who cannot care for themselves sending them out into the weather conditions and to beg for food and clothes with no money and no dignity. This thought makes me tremble.

[@lrb05131963]

Jacqueline Kruger some of us have struggled for years after discharge,I stop trust ppl after my near murder expience from staffers and it took me from 1985 to now 2016 to have gotten some peace of mind about what happened at grey stone to me and what I saw there ,wicked wicked spirits and human employees were there and I will leave it there in the past gladdly

[@christinedahlgren5877]

@Jacqueline Kruger Many "homeless" people never see the inside of a psychiatric hospital. Apparently a person living on the streets is not considered a danger to themselves. I understand why many wanted to save the Kirkbride building. It was beautiful at one time. Personally speaking, I am glad to see all of those buildings demolished. The abuse patients faced at the hands of employees was unfortunately commonplace. I no longer have to relive that abuse when I drive through there. My wish for the GPPH of today is that those sent for treatment will leave without the scars so many of us live with. God Bless!

[@jabbawabba4949]

My brother was admitted to the building literally right next to this one, back around 2008. Was very creepy. Everything about it. The lights would still be on and workers still used some of the building.

[@kylenelutton982]

I can't tell you how many patients I have brought here over the years. (I'm an EMT) First Overbrook was demolished, then the old Essex County Hospital. Now they want to erase Greystone??? What an absolute tragedy.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@kathyjackson6408]

My mom stayed here in 1977 when she was abandoned by her half brother. She was pregnant with me so Greystone is listed on my birth certificate.

[@djshinefl]

how long was your mother in greystone my mother was there also

[@imy5279]

I remember Greystone Park. My best friend had a personal trama and was sent there. I will never forget when I went there to see her. I remember telling her that we would have a picnic. Well when I drove down the driveway and approached the front of the main door was when it hit me. I will never forget the dread that came over me. It was a very scary place. While I am for preservation, I'm glad to hear it is gone. I would never want to visit that place again. Oh and were my best friend was there, it certainly was overcrowded. There was cot after cot lined up next to each other with a locker at the head of the cot. That was about 30 years ago. Scares me to think about It, so that is all. Be well folks

[@rmbarnes672]

Once again an awesome well made video from Antiquity Echoes. I grew up less than a mile from Greystone in the 80's. Some buildings were still in use back then. There are many on the huge grounds. Driving through there late at night was kinda spooky sometimes. I had a girlfriend in high school that absolutely refused to let me drive through there at night on the way to my house. She was afraid an escaped crazy would kidnap her). Lastly, like everything the State of NJ does, it sucks. That's why I got out of there...

[@little_moongirl]

i miss it so much. this still hurts my heart. the open field doesn’t even look good. there’s piping or gas line(?) flags everywhere, & just dead/dying grass. 😔

[@dvroeg]

I recently spoke to an officer from the Morris County Sherrifs Office and he told me they wanted to put a new building on the site but couldn't because of the debris under the field.

[@patchwork-plant]

Its such a beautiful building, so much history there.

[@namjoonisfuckingiconic6899]

I have been to graystone with my mother, and I loved being that, although I was freaked out, graystone will be a memory I will never forget!

[@ginamaria2579]

Beautiful video, thank you ! AWESOMENESS !

[@ETphonehomeXfiles]

Please don't let Greystone be demolished...It has pieces of our hearts...our lives and our history...We know about the things that went on..but NOW we will NEVER will let this happen again....who can we join to help keep greystone..

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@tatatade]

Wow, Beautiful, high sense, high quality good location and Perfect video 👍 BIG like I sent

[@strikeyouup8685]

0:49 most powerful view. Just imagine living in there, looking out those bars & vines. Pretty but with Loneliness, Sadness & Evilness.

[@abigailandpatricktvnowtvno8004]

It is SO SAD that the men and women who did suffer at Greystone will be forever gone and forgotten...... Did we not preserve and do we not "worship" remains from many unpleasant historic places?! Greystone just a memory that will fade in time.... I personally think anyone who suffered or died there would have been so grateful if their home of sadness would have brought happiness to the living..... Tragic loss..... SO SAD...........

[@ianzukswert3185]

Beautiful job and incredible photography. I grew up in Morristown and lived in Morris County for many years. Greystone was amazing and I always considered it a landmark on many levels, certainly being a Kirkbride makes it architecturally valuable. I wish that I was able to have explored it but never did but now that it is gone, it brings a tear to my eye anytime watching videos like this. Chris Christie dropped the ball and most likely there were folks benefiting financially in it being razed. It was so nice to see the chapel in this video and it still looked magnificent. The new building has no character whatsoever and development around this area ruined my ever wanting to drive in this part of the county. Very sad that the state refused to accept the preservation idea but that will be a stain on the Republican leadership. R.I.P. Greystone...you once were mighty and served so many for so long and so well. We will remember you always 😞

[@AntiquityEchoes]

Your feelings are mirrored by many, local and from states away. A tragic loss that future generations will surely question. If you want to keep up with news on the future memorial planned for the space, you can do so on Facebook- facebook.com/GreystoneParkMemorial

[@mariekatherine5238]

A Kirkbride building is historic, not just a building, but a monument and virtual textbook of how we once thought of ourselves and others less fortunate, the mentally ill, those with emotional and intellectual struggles, and the aged and alone.

[@AntiquityEchoes]

Arguably the most caring and empathetic structures our nation ever created.

[@jerseydemon4134]

I was getting all excited to go explore this place this week and now I just found out it has been demolished earlier this year... I can't believe I just missed it

[@tonygonsalves6537]

I remember being incarcerated at MYCF and I had the best job going to greystone each weekday to cut grass, shovel snow etc. Every lunch break we would go to the old building and eat play whiffle ball and just admire that awesome building. One day we actually were able to get inside and look around for a bit as our officer was asleep in the van 😁😁.

[@davidhale3450]

They should have turned it into museum places like that are part of history regardless how dark and evil these places were

[@jimmyfaustjr6413]

The people who call these buildings eyesores are eyesores themselves.

[@peacefamily212]

Fab video thank you so MUCH! !!

[@1940limited]

This is reason enough not to vote for Christie for president.

[@pikaluv43]

+g bridgman i agree i signed at 3to 5 in the last 2 yrs to try to dave this lovely structure i hate that krispy creme

[@1940limited]

I'd bet my last dollar he had Greystone torn down to give his buddy in the wrecking business the contract. I hate that fat F---!

[@pikaluv43]

+judah mario sorry about the typos

[@1940limited]

It's OK. Maybe your sense of outrage affected your ability to type!

[@1940limited]

It's OK. I got your message!

[@NewJerseyJay]

2018 Greystone doesn't exist. It's nothing more than an empty grass field now. No stone, no rocks nothing. The typical passer by wouldn't even know that this building ever existed. No plaques, no signs.. Nothing. I drove by this building many, many, times for many years and It was a truly beautiful building. Yes it had a very horrible past. That's not ever mentioned in these videos. There are no actual records of the lives that were lost here. But I am assuming thousands since it was built. I honestly believe that the State of New Jersey know the actual number of lives that were lost here, but they still refuse to publish the actual numbers. I assure you. More lives were lost on this property than several 09-11's. It's a lost of History, but because it was a Mental Institution.. It carried no weight for the politicians of New Jersey. So it simply vanished..

[@tybeers6009]

I miss this place

[@robertatrimmer4764]

Any idea if there was/is a graveyard there? Or where unclaimed bodies were interred?

[@NewJerseyJay]

@@robertatrimmer4764 no idea. I think they cremated the bodies on site.

[@DecayUNCUT]

Another great video. I'm jealous of the editing skills. Tom

[@mermaidcandy]

We should keep all these buildings. There's one in Pendleton, Oregon. It's used as a prison now. I wish it stands forever.

[@tybeers6009]

I remember exploring that will my dad in 2014... It's sad they knocked it down... It was only ten minutes away from me

[@cynthiadileo5552]

This is a tragic thing for Mentally Ill. Mental Health treatment has changed. There are more rights for the mentally ill. The first cuts in federal and state medical health funding is for the mentally ill. When Greystone closed where were the patients discharged to? Due to lack of funding for the mentally ill, these people had no programs to go to. This is when the rise of the homeless grew tremendously. There are people that can not function outside due to their mental illness. The mentally ill short-term hospital is a revolving door. People are medicated and stabilized. Unfortunately Psychotropic drugs can have side effects and when people are discharged from psych admissions they stop their medications, or, if they want to be compliant there is no where to get them due to the first cuts of funding is always for the mentally ill. I have first hand experience, because I sit on the side of people that have mental illness. I suffered as far back as I can remember as with an illness that no one knew and it was referred to as just being spoiled, manipulative behavior due to acting out. I wanted to die even as a child. I started self medicating using street drugs, It made me feel different it masked the pains within. At age 13 I had my first suicide attempt ending up in ICU and my parents being told it could go either way, I could live or die. I experienced my first admission to a private psychic treatment center. And children usually do not get diagnosed properly. I went through many admissions in my life with 9 suicidal attempts, which were more serious as the time before. I should not be alive from those attempts. I would be in the hospital criticing where I failed and making my next plan. Then at 21 I was given a diagnosis of depression. This was after getting sober. Then I went into these moods of feeling great to depression. Of course I went back and forth to self medicating, afters years of sobriety. At 36 I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder that had moved from the depressed side to the manic side which was just as dangerous. To make a long story shorter. I was using drugs due to addiction and then the meds would go out the window. I was not functional to hold a job and had no insurance. That is when I landed into Greystone. It was an involuntary treatment center I was suicidal and when I told them after a long discussion about going in on a volunteer admission they finally admitted me, because they had no choice. I was there on a unit and stabilized and then they had cottages. to transition to another type of program that was a group home, which has lost funding. Yes, Greystone had it's stories of an asylum. But Greystone saved my life. I will not tell you my story ends there. I had many slips of drug use. But meds have to be changed and of course it seems that every 7 years ones body changes. I have had other suicide attempts and been admitted to short term hospitals, but I have had more years off happiness and contentment. Medication is not a fix all and I have become compliant with my meds and have had over 8 -9 years that the thoughts of suicide have not been an option and I have not spent my time planning and getting everything in place so that when I had those feelings I already had the plan and everything I needed to follow through. There are many people with a mental illness that will never have good days and bad ones. So it did serve a purpose for many years and as it discharged people to a place that had no programs or places to transition to carry these are most of the people that you see living on the streets. A lot of mentally ill people need to be institutionalized because they can't function in the world. My 50 years of mental illness the facilities and perspectives of treatment has change tremendously. I will not tell you that all people that work with the mentally ill and all doctors should be in the professional field. I know many people that have had some contact with friends or in their family members that have dealt with the heartaches of watching some person suffering within. Yes and there are people that can not advocate for themselves.Most have no support systems and due to these disease's of their minds many, many families have left them behind. So these places like Greystone that have crumble and there being less places put into place for these people and yes it should have been rebuilt because now there or people that have nowhere to go or choose not to go and they sit outside and crumble along with these institutions. Yes and we as human beings should demand that those who cannot advocate for themselves that these places have more people to watch the ones that are watching. I did not want this to be this long, but I wanted to share my story because I did not live five doors down from Greystone, I lived five doors down from you.

[@karenbochinski]

I remember going here when I was a teen with my dad. He was a musician and played music for the residences. It was nice talking with the residences and seeing this beautiful park. It is ashame they are tearing it down.

[@t1hundred]

It doesn't matter your personal opinion on the aesthetics of this building, the fact that it was at 1 time the country's largest building is a testament to the effort put forth on this land. It can not be put under for another athletic field. This is coming from a coach.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@anthonymaranan4237]

Came from House MD season 5 ep. 24. This hospital was featured!

[@daveteddy8057]

This is absolutely phenomenal. You have all out done yourselves with the passion behind this in its entirety from research, to the cinematics of it all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. You know how to reach me.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@user-uu8rq2qm5n]

So many people wanted to save it , gust hearing the word greystone makes me shiver in pain

[@cwm6467]

The building would be cost prohibitive to renovate at this point. Lead paint, asbestos, old piping and wiring, out-dated mechanical systems...it would be a total gut job. I think it's an awesome building and a beautiful property but unless you know of a developer who has mega-millions to pour into a property which has an extremely long ROI, it's history!

[@AntiquityEchoes]

Chris Martell you bring up a very valid point that many others have also echoed. That's the reason we created this short video, to show that there were/are private developers willing to shell out the funding needed, at no expense to the taxpayers of New Jersey. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrYc4uphamEjsU Additionally, the Star Ledger just spoke with us for their front-page piece in regards to the same issue. It was out yesterday so I doubt there are physical copies to be found, but you can read the piece here - www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/something_stinks_about_the_greystone_deal_di_ionno.html

[@cwm6467]

Antiquity Echoes Nice little video. That said, I am not a proponent of preservation of Greystone for nostalgia's sake. This is a public building on public land. If developers are ready and willing to purchase the property and restore the building for whatever their intended use is, I'm all for it. I think the State would be too. If advocate groups raise the money required to renovate the building into a viable income center for the State, I'm all for that too. To save the building to serve as a reminder of days gone by OR to be utilized as a State sponsored museum which actually costs more to run; I can't say I'm on board with that. And I love architecture too! Unfortunately, my taxes are high enough and to have this building returned to prominence only to have it 1) be a burden on the people of NJ or 2) fall back into disrepair is a waste of time and money. It seems to me as if the group would like to restore the building and then have NJ pay for its operation. What are the current proposed plans for the building IF it is restored?

[@AntiquityEchoes]

Chris Martell First, thank you for replying with insight and respect. The internet is rarely a place for civil discussions, so we appreciate your tact. Believe it or not, we completely agree with you, and are on the same page in regards to your primary concerns. There are right and wrong reasons to preserve a building. When done for the wrong reasons they can become incredible burdens, and much effort should always be put forth to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such projects. You can't just go around saving every old building just because it's old. That being said, we ourselves have two major points that we feel need to be addressed regarding Greystone: 1 - For now put all feelings about the old asylum on the side, as our first point doesn't even involve the physical building. The state of New Jersey has decided to spend public (tax payer) money to demolish a massive facility on public land, and has never opened the plan to public discussion in any forum. This is the people's land and money, they have every right to voice input on the matter. It's a case of government overstepping its boundaries. 2 - The proposals brought forth by the private developers would have funded the renovation and continued maintenance of the building. Several of these plans requested tax abatement, however some did not even ask that much. The state of New Jersey rejected the proposals outright without so much as responding to any of the developers. We know all this because we have spoken with several of them in-person. Many are frustrated that the state has decided to move forward with demolition so quickly, as the facility is a thing of national importance. However you feel about the so-called "asylum era", it was very much real, and should certainly be remembered. Preserving massive facilities such as Greystone, and making them something that people can appreciate, is a great way of doing just that. To answer your question, the proposals ranged from mixed residential/commercial to a preserved-ruin historic site much like Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, which would have had zero residential units. One proposal was even going to create a farm out of a portion of the ward and surrounding land, in addition to the commercial/residential spaces. It goes without saying that some imagination would be needed to re-purpose such a place, but there were many eager to try.

[@reggiehammer8170]

Hard to believe , but there was a Movie filmed there that featured 5 Academy Award Winners. It was called Marvin's Room !!

[@christinedahlgren5877]

I was a patient there while the filming was taking place. We were always kept far away from the set. Did you know that a couple episodes of House, M.D. were also filmed there?

[@acdcking1234]

i live about 1.3 miles from the old complex i walk there every day with my dog wish it was still there

[@jackieb6558]

I drove by it a few weeks ago and it was very depressing 😕 I imaging the horrible things that took place here😕😕😕😕😕

[@pikaluv43]

those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it

[@nagaempress]

It would have made a great hotel.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@cwm6467]

Louis Inghilterra Why? Who is funding this? The State? Yeah...OK.

[@Cristineanne]

im not sure about that, coz this is haunted and ghost adventures visited this place

[@nagaempress]

september baby They tore it down so not even that happens anymore.

[@rainmechanic]

They do not demolish there architectural history in Europe... here in the states we have very few building older then 100 years.. We destroy many landmark buildings constructed of materials that have become far too expensive to ever replicate.... Once they are gone they are gone forever... and what replaces them in most cases is construction that will be lucky if it makes it past 50 years... At the rate this country is going we will most likely be added to the long list of third world shithole's before this century comes to a close.. Most of us will beg our European Ancestors to enact some form of "Right of Return" so we can make our way back across the pond...

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@beverlyleach1267]

We have an old courthouse in Corpus Christi that is in the same situation. The money to repair seems to be wasted resources to people who would use the same amount of money to tear down a really magnificent historical architectural edifice. It seems to me something basically this beautiful should have a future with greatness as a hotel, business park, church, health care facility etc perhaps in different sections. Maybe a home for the homeless which in other days might be a patient in Greystone. Good luck, the place is worth the worry.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@David-vn2id]

I stayed there in the early 90s for three months. I am not disappointed it was demolished....

[@KyleJMcCullough]

My bets are there will be no bidding for Demolition crews, there is probably already someone contracted and the Governor or someone on the board has stocks in whatever company is being contracted to do the Demolition. That would be the only way I could see why they would turn down proposals and push so hard for this buildings demolition. Because not only would they make money on the Demolition of the building but all the valuable scrap metals and copper piping inside which a building that size would be worth a fortune.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@1940limited]

+KyleJMcCullough I think you're onto something there but you'l never be able to prove it. That fat f--- of a governor you guys have should be shot. I used to live in Morristown and remember when Greystone was still operating in the 50s and 60s and I believe into the 80s. I hate to see it destroyed especially when people were out there who wanted to save it and had the money. .

[@nagaempress]

When is the entire film going to be released?

[@successiondevelopmentteam]

Comparing new building to this old... I think you know wich one is better...

[@1940limited]

Apparently it has started judging by the other video I just saw of the buildings being torn down back in June.

[@althoughwicked3514]

Sure as hell looks like an a day to remember concert to me

[@lrb05131963]

They care about this building but not the patiences who were committed to their care by the state and courts....amazin

[@lrb05131963]

I was committed there from 1983-86

[@lrb05131963]

kicktroolinface what year were your friends in there ? I don't live in NJ anymore so I don't know if it's torn down or not

[@lrb05131963]

kicktroolinface did your friends mention any spiritual expiences to you about grey stone ?

[@stevestarr9769]

I applied for a job there in the late 90's/early 2000's before it closed. What a shame they couldn't save it.

[@Oldhouseguy]

I attended a rally there to save the building. It was Chris Christie who shut his eyes to any possibility to save the building. There were developers with private money that wanted to save the building and give it another purpose but they were ignored. The death of Greystone rests on Chris Christie and his cursed family.

[@AntiquityEchoes]

We helped to organize that rally, thank you for coming out in support. We still look back on the preservation fight without regret.

[@Oldhouseguy]

@@AntiquityEchoes Yes - you did and thank you for all your efforts. I still have the Save Greystone sign hanging in my garage as a reminder. I also spoke to DG of the NJ Historic Trust and she worked behind the scenes as hard as she could to save the building.

[@nicolebarr9632]

My car was in the video

[@JOBOOZOSO]

I got two reasons to knock it down: Asbestos and Ghosts. As a social worker, trust me, it's best to knock it down.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@1940limited]

+JOBOOZOSO Ghosts: That's just plain superstition. Do you believe in exorcisms, too?

[@graceisamazing5493]

Please don't tear it down! Restore it for posterity.

[@jolovesminnis]

Does anyone know if any of the inside was able to be salvaged?

[@kef103]

To them it’s not 50 million wasted it’s going into their pockets of their contractors and construction companies that will charge top dollar for subpar work .this is absolutely what the bottom line is .

[@DecayUNCUT]

I was under the impression that they had decided to demolish. If you are making this video, maybe there is still hope for the building. The Eastern State Penn is a good example; however, it is located in an entirely different setting. More through traffic due to its location in Philly helps tremendously. Greystone seems to be out in the middle of nowhere or that is the feeling I got. I didn't really drive the area enough to know. It just seem secluded. Tom

[@Getoutsidenj]

Hi Tom. These locations are not completely supported by the locals. I do not live anyone near Eastern State, but have visited there many times. Graystone can certainly be a destination if preserved/restored properly.

[@DecayUNCUT]

Hey, thanks for saying that. I hope what ever happens opens up more jobs for people. Tom

[@LINDATHRALL-pb8zu]

WHY NOT TURN THE OLD STATE HOSPITAL INTO A APARTMENT BUILDING THAT IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL BUILDING IF THIS BUILDING CAN BE TURNED INTO A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED EXTRA HELP SO BE IT

[@ddylla85]

Enormous loss.

[@terryshilo6750]

I just read that Christie said it will be demolished. I don't know how I wound up watching videos and reading for many hours now about a building on the other side of the country.. yet I have. It would be a national disgrace to tear down such a significant architectural beauty. While surely, it will need some work so it does not continue to decay; the other option should not so easily be made to destroy it. YES, from reading, I realize that bad things happened there. We don't tear down churches where terrible things have happened. At the outset, it really did seem it was built to be a place to help our fellow man. With short supply of such facilities.. it became vastly overcrowded. Perhaps this is story enough that we realize, as much has changed, we once thought we did the right thing as a people only to discover over a century it was note the best way to continue; although I remember back in the 90's when they shuttered these facilities.. there were tens of thousands of psychologically ill people living on the streets of our nation. It had to have helped many more people that it harmed. I hope you keep your landmark northern New Jersey.

[@airsoftking421]

governor crispy cream is a piece of shit ! he was offered i believe 110 million by a private contractor who was going to repurpose the building for homeless housing and a small museum ( i think I'm correct ) but fatty turned it down. it has now been bought by an out of state contractor it is unknown to me what he or she will do. maybe they will not be stupid and keep history. time will tell.

[@terryshilo6750]

I will not fib and say I care much for Christie; but I expected collectively the government of a state could see that this fine group of folks sought out enterprises that would fund a rehabilitation on this fine building. To do otherwise is so damn wrong.

[@danielchivatodelasnews4638]

¿Por que tuvieron que demolerlo? ¿A quien molestaba un edificio tan precioso? Aunque soy español pero aun asi me duele mucho que derribaran eñ edificio, una perdida para la humanidad.

[@GlideByJJ]

Here is an updated aerial video that I took today 5/23/2015. Demolition has started. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJDRkKpojNyXebs

[@cashbrooks7223]

You use to be able to buy Cold coffee means they Case workers let some people break the rules

[@davidjames666]

Maybe it can still be saved. Popular opinion has changed in 2019 on lots of things

[@cnj1133]

Lol they tore it down in 2015

[@curlymxxy1]

Government officials who are offered sums of money and turn it down in situations like this, alot of times somewhere in their history they must have done something wrong or have a secret to hide. Italy has the island off of its coast that's practically quarantined even though not open to the public the buildings still stand. I think they shouldn't demolish this building and keep it as a reminder of American history. Even if it's bad people can learn from the atrocities committed in the past.

[@louinghilterra4663]

Hey please help stop the Demolition and save the building by signing this petition! www.change.org/p/save-preserve-reuse-the-kirkbride-building-at-greystone-park-nj

[@davidcarlson1208]

Too bad they couldn't save it!

[@cashbrooks7223]

I don't like places like this I was already there and they dorm attendants attack you like in one flew over the cockoos nest they even did a throat operation without permission

[@carmenshopteese8438]

Insane asylum

[@cowboykody6775]

I see "fat face" said it was an isore

[@ianzukswert3185]

Good ol' Mr. Girth himself. Hypocrites and piss poor leaders

[@zodiac890]

now adays instead of mentally ill people from counties that use to greystone now go to other psych hospitals like essex county hospital

[@arthurzeller5754]

iT WOULD HAVE COST LES TO REVITALIZE THE MAIN BUILDING AT GREYSTONE, IT WAS A POLITICAL MOVE INITIATED BY A FORMER SITIING NJ GOV. I BELIEVE WHO MADE BULLS@#T COMPLAINTS

[@cwm6467]

BTW...this article is slightly incorrect...it was the large singular FOUNDATIONED building in the Country. There IS a difference but...BIG DEAL! BRING ON THE DOZERS!!!

[@cwm6467]

WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@jakegaccione2607]

I'm sad that its gone now it had so much history in it. and im all for scary shit I practice on the fields at greystone but still its scary cause of what they did they're and that it's a sypco hospital but once again I love scary shit

[@jimmyfaustjr6413]

I bet what WAS there is a lot better than whats there now. Which is nothing. Nothing of importance or value.

[@miadahhajbi6442]

If you marry Jewish that is where you end up this the story of Vicky our next door crazy you going into her house do you know what the meaning of cover criminal crazy with someone like us this what Rosmary doing she snaking crazy like Vicky out and put names only into them hospital I want to know who are the people working their when they see us there this what Ellen Taylor vampire stern family and friends say she is the ex of my husband 22 years a go we worked together for 22 years I never see any crazy of him or me she used to call the post office and most of the time I used to answer. Them phone calls in that time I didn’t even know her husband she use to tell me he is crazy mantel drug attic and he going cheating on her with black girl her name Gloria then I start watching him cause most of post office people are crazy but I find this very pure man coming to work don’t do nothing but work like crazy u asked him one day are you crazy I told him what his wife talking behind his back and he told all her story we become friends and we married in that time 22 years a go this. Lady is criminal selling people body parts. Worldwide and too much more crime need newspaper to fit look out when you sport her you end up in this mantel huspetal killing people day and night

[@Turborider]

please destroy this building!

[@Turborider]

i hate this building

[@louinghilterra4663]

Your are crazy

[@Turborider]

:D

[@cwm6467]

Silver Vette You want your kid sitting in that building with the vermin, asbestos, lead paint, PCBs and other contaminants? Time to knock her down!

[@cwm6467]

It can certainly be restored...but why? Can it be re-purposed and bring in revenue? Can it be sold and renovated into a hotel, museum, office complex? Bottom line, can it make money for NJ? If not and it's just sitting there with NO plan while costing NJ millions a year...fire up the bulldozers!