New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-26
'CONVALESCENTS' HOME
TO Be BUILT At LAST
Winifred Masterson Burke
Foundation Begins ExCava-
ton at White Plains.
100000 FOR BUILDINGS
Long Litigation Has Delayed
Erection of Memorial to
Rich New York Mer-
chants Mother.

The Winfred Masterson Burke Founda-
ton Home for Convalesccnts. made posi-
bic by the b"nefactions of tho late John
Alas;erson Burke. Is on the way 10 become
"A substantial fact. Frederick H. Denman.
secretary Of the directors OF the founda-
ton and one Of the executors of the Burke
VIII. made the announcement yesterday
that excavation for the buildings had been
begun at White Plains. where the home
will be erected. and final plans for the
structure Of the home had been completed
in the Offices OF Mcl(im. Mead & White.
The total cost of the buildings will APP
rroXimatc 81 900. 900.
The actual construction work on the
home. which is for the accommodation Of
patients discharged from New York hos
pitfalls and In need OF rest and recuper-
alton before rcsumine work. Will be un-
dertaken as soon as the weather permits
The home will begin its existence with
eight buildings, the plan AZ outlined by
Teunis J. Van Der Bent, Of the firm Of
Mcliim. Mead White, who drew the
plans and will superintend the work pro-
vidiBg for the addition OF other buildings.
The site for the home 10 sixty acres Of
land formerly owned by the New York
State Hospital at White Plains, which was
purchased from the hospital at a cost Of
$50. 0co
The plans drawn by Mr. Van Der Bent
| call for the erection OF buildings OF Har-
ward red brick. white terra Gotta and
white marble. The buildings will be
grouped about square 500 feet upon
each side, the centre OF the scheme teing
the administration building This and
the other structures will follow the Co
ionial style OF architecture and will be
plain in design. following the expressed
wish Of the Svcr OF the home
On one side OF the square the admins
traiion building. three stories in height
VIII be Ranked on one hand by the house
Of the superintendent. Dr. Frederick
Brush, and on the other b. hospital
On the opposite side the dining hall and
service building will be erected This will
include accommodations for the help.
kitchen and large dining room.
Back OF the dining hall will be large
power house. supplying the homo with
rover. and beyond that a laundry. On
either side OF the square will be the cot
tages which will house the convslcscents.
For the present these will consist Of two
only one FOR men and one for women.
This number will be increased to four
later. with arrangements for still further
additions II necessary. These additions
viii also include q recreation hall, large
hospital and other buildings.
al the buildings will be hreproot With
concrete extensively used. 4 feature OF
the plan is a system OF over and under
ground passages connecting all the build
incs. Covered passageVays Will extend
about the four sides OF tho central court.
and these will be duplicated underneath
These colonnades are 80 arranged that
they can bc inclosed IN glass for the con-
vonience OF conyslesccnts.
NO time for the completion of the
work has been fixed" Mr.. Denman said
yesterday we are anxious that the
work shall DC thoroughly and satisfsc-
torily done
1t Is probable that the home will be
1 completed and ready for occupancy by
January. 1915. not before NJ. Van Der
Bent. the architect, said. When done.
IL will furnish accommodations for about
zoo patients That number, however. vii
not be housed until all the buildings COLI
, templated are erected"
The home. which will be founded in
| memory Of the mother OF Mr.. Burke. Will
reach completion only after extensive
litigation II was provided for in 49,
during the lifetime OF the Siver whcn
Mr. Burke sc, aside 100000 in trust Tor
it's construction and maintenance WORK
10 begin after his death. Mr. Burke cleo
in 1879. leaving nearly 100000 additional
for the home Efforts were made By dis
,ant relatives OF the benetactor to nave
the trust set aside during his hletimo
and 10 break the will after his death ou'
these were not successful
The administration OF the funds for the
home is in the hands OF number OF
friends OF Mr.. Burke, who was ricn
merchant OF New York. The INSTITUTION
will not be a charity proposition inmates
without funds being permitted 10 repay
,,e cost OF their care gradually as loan
u-ithout interest