Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-06-07
THE BRATTLEBoRo RETREAT.
improvements During the winter and
spring---a Work Always In Progress
and Never Done.


and Never Done.
People who rarely take a view from the
inside have small idea how literally it is
true that an institution like the Brattle-
boro Retreat is always in progress either of
construction or renewal. OF the Retreat
this is particularly true. The growth and
changes of the past 20 years are scarcely
appreciated, even by those who have OBJ
served them closely. The last work of no.
table Importance which was completed was
the intire reconstruction of the interior
OF the Marsh building, and such outward
changes in its appearance and surround
ings as converted it into one of the most
tasteful and desirable adiuncts of the insti-
tuition. Since last November a thorough
renovation of the central or administration
building has been in progress, especially on
the lower floor, and these improvements
are now substantially completed, giving to
the spacious entrance hall, the doctors Of
fees, and the reception and retiring rooms,
the comfortable and pleasant seeming of a
handsome private home. A border of solid
oak and cherry has been laid upon the floor
of the corridor, showing in handsome re-
lief against the heavy moquette carpet
which covers the centre. BY the removal
of brick partition wall a cosy alcove has
been formed where visitors may comforta-
bly, wait their turn. The walls and ceiling
have been decorated in rarely tasteful tints
Newell post lamps in Grecian design at
either end of the corridor take the place of
the former pendant lights. In the super
intendents office steel ceiling of cOmpos-
lite design replaces the old one of plaster,
and fireplace of pressed brick, with a
massive oak mantel, makes an effective
centre-piece for the room. At one side a
fire and burglar proof vault has been built
to hold the most important and valuable
! books and records. The Office of the as
| sistant physicians has also been given a
metal ceiling, and other Improvements are
in progress there. Most notable of all
are the East and Yves; reception rooms,
which have been converted into elegantly
decorated and elegantly furnished parors
with luxurious moquette carpets upon the
floors and choice engravings covering the
walls. In each has been built a fireplace
of moulded cream colored brick surmount-
ed by quartered oak mantels, with plate
glass mirrors and oxydized fire sets.
At either end of the long corridor album
dant light is admitted through side lights
and transoms of Russian glass. The walls
of the corridors are also hung with hand
somely framed engravings. On the second
and third floors the improvements are
mainly in the way of tasteful decorations
upon walls and ceilings, with new carpets
upon the floors, Correct taste in the choice
of materials is everywhere apparent, and
the result is a pervading air of combined
elegance and refinement.
The work of filling and regarding the
home grounds is now rapidly nearing COM
pletiOn. Those who have watched its pro-
gress will not be incredulous when told
that between 5000 and 1000 loads of earth
have been used. When covered with turf
it will form rarely beautiful expanse of
green lawn. A driveway has been built to
replace the former entrance through the
rear court The rockery is being convert
ed into big mound of foliage and flowers.
The Summer Retreat is being painted in
a soft cream tint, and will soon be ready
to receive its summer quota of happy
guests. With the exception of the farm
buildings, which will retain their tradi-
tional coat of red, the wood work of all the
Retreat buildings will be changed to this
cream color
We doubt if any estate in New England
possesses a more charming drive than is
the Cottage road, two miles long, extend
ing from Holbrook bridge up past the
pretty silvery pond in the shade of the big
pine trees, over the hill TO the 'Old Chest
nut orchard" and then down through the
woods and across the stone bridge and the
swift running brook into the park which
forms part of the Cottage estate, and in
the edge of which stands the homelke
place where sections of Il or 20 male resi-
dents are entertained during the summer
months.