Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-22
THE VERMONT PHOENIX. BRATTLEBoRO, FRIDAY. Man
THE BRATTLEBoRo RETREAT.

It's Future Work and Policy as n Home
for the Private Treatment OF Nervous
Invalids and the Insane---Its Unex-
celled Equipment for this work.
The removal of the state patients from
the Brattleboro Retreat will leave the in
stitution free to devo.e itself to the care of
private patients. In this direction the work
of the future will le For several years
past, on account of pressure for the admis-
sion of patients from within this state, it
has been necessary to refuse all outside APP
plications, though these have been many.
No better preparation for this condition of
things could have been made than has been
brought about by the wise and progressive
policy which the management have steadily
adhered to. For many years state patients,
received at a minimum price, have enjoyed
every advantage that money and the most
advanced modern methods could furnish.
Nothing about the growth of Brattleboro
has been more marked or more typical Of
New England enterprise, thrift and sub
stantial, thorough-going way of doing
things than has the upbuilding of this in.
stitution. From the time when, in 1885,
the bequest of Mrs. Anna Marsh of Hins-
dale made possible the establishment of
Is home for the unfortunate, until now,
the progress has been constant. A more
favorable location for such an institution
could hardly be imagined. A part of the
village of Brattleboro, 1t yet lies on its bor-
der in such way as to secure complete re-
tirement Nature has been kind in her
own furnishings and these have been used
with wisdom and with look always to-
ward the future. 1t is for this reason that
the Retreat has come to its present repute
of affording greater outdoor advantages
and attractions than any similar institu-
ton in this country. In the estate of $50
acres there is combined hill and valley, for
est and meadow, running brooks, shaded
walks and well-built private roadways.
The lawn upon which the main buildings
stand is one Of the best reminders which
New England affords of the beauty, in tree
and turf, of an old English lawn. The hill
side park Of 80 acres has been developed,
by the adoption of the best methods of land
scape gardening, into preserve whose con-
stantly changing features are daily sur
prise and delight to those who enjoy them.
This Vermont institution was the first
in this country to establish summer homes
for the enjoyment of its patients. The
Summer Retreat for women offers every
advantage for quietness and retirement and
outdoor life which can be found in any
summer residence, and the Cottage
for men, mile away, standing in the edge
of grove of chestnuts and pines, is equal
ly fortunate in its location and surround
lngs. From the Cottage runs the Cottage
road, through the wood, up over the hill.
past The trout pond and down through the
estate to the main institution, distance
of two miles. No drive in Brattleboro EQUALS
this in variety and picturesqueness of
scenery.
steady work of improvement has been
carried on in the buildings themselves, and
the several halls are now being made. even
more homelike and attractive than before,
flood of sunlight pOurs into every room,
and everything that ingenuity can suggest
is made use of TO make the invalid forget
that he is under hospital treatment. 1t is
now just year ago that improvements
were noted which converted the central, or
administration building into the semblance
of an elegant private house.
Exactly what the policy of the manage
ment will be in every respect the officers
themselves do not know, but they will meet
the situation as 1t presents itself. Prices
will be put at very moderate figure for
the purpose of placing the advantages of
the Institution within the reach of people of
ordinary means, so that they may here care
for their friends at their own expense No
doubt is felt that when it becomes known
that the Retreat is now available for this
purpose as many patients will be offered as
can be properly cared for.