The first appropriation by the State for the institution was made in 1870. The original board of trustees numbered twenty-one, appointed by the Governor. The first superintendent, Dr. Foote, having resigned, Dr. Henry R. Stiles was appointed in his stead. He served until February 9, 1877, and then resigned. He was succeeded by the late Selden H. Talcott, who served until his death in 1902, when the present incumbent, Dr. Maurice C. Ashley, was appointed to succeed him, and is now in charge of the institution.
Among the early trustees, who were residents of Orange County, may be recalled the well-known names of Daniel Thompson, John G. Wilin, Moses D. Stivers, James G. Graham, Henry R. Low, Elisha P. Wheeler, Dr. Joshua A. Draper, James B. Hulse, James H. Norton, Nathaniel W. Vail, and Uzal T. Hayes.
The hospital was incorporated in 1869, opened for the reception of patients on the 20th of April, 1874, and the first patient was admitted May 7, 1874.
To give an idea of the present magnitude of this great public charity, it seems fitting that a few figures should go on record where they will be permanently preserved.
The farm and grounds comprise nearly 300 acres, on which there are thirty buildings; the value of the real and personal property is over $1,500,000; the present annual expenses for all purposes, excepting the new building, are about $245,000, of which nearly $60,000 are received from private and reimbursing patients; about $110,000 is required for salaries and wages. Since the opening of the institution, over 7,000 patients have been received and treated. Of this number 2,600 have been discharged recovered and returned to their homes and to society, and 900 others have been sufficiently restored or improved to enable them to return to their families. The number of patients under treatment at the present time is 1,350.
The present normal capacity of the hospital for patients is 1,222. Buildings are now under construction for about 550 more patients and the necessary employees, making a total capacity for 1,850 patients and 450 employees.
The hospital district comprises Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Rockland Counties, but those desiring homeopathic treatment are received from any part of the State.
During all the years, the hospital has been conducted upon homeopathic principles, following strictly the practice and principles of homeopathy in the selection of medicines and treatment of patients. This is a compliance with the law under which the hospital was first incorporated, and the results, in all respects, would seem to warrant the continuance of the present form of treatment and management.
In compliance with the law, a training school for nurses and attendants has been established and maintained for some years with the most satisfactory results.
A few years since all the asylums were placed under State control, and a board of local managers with modified duties took the place of the old boards of trustees.