Preservation Group Hears Options to Convert Greystone Rather Than Paving It Over

The name Greystone can conjure many images: A both benevolent and ominous, a collection of buildings and grounds that was a city unto itself throughout the 20th century and a one-time home for such artists as Woody Guthrie and Allan Ginsberg.

The psychiatric hospital was the subject of concern Thursday night for Preserve Greystone, a small, but dedicated group of local residents determined to find a way to make the best use of existing buildings and grounds, which are in the hands of both the state and Morris County.

In its third year, the Preserve Greystone group met for its annual meeting at the Morris Plains Community Center. Mary Reilly, a guest speaker from the Morristown EcoCenter, presented concepts and ideas to save and reuse the enormous Kirkbride building. Adapting the use of the building is a step Preserve Greystone members admit is many years down the road.

Reilly discussed recycling the building and showed aerial slides of Princeton Junction and Belleville as two communities that are different in their use of space and land.

In referring to Kirkbride, she said "the lifestyle of a building goes back to its origins. If we tear down these buildings, we create problems for the landfills." 

Reilly is opposed to paving over land such as the Greystone property because it creates impervious surfaces, which contribute to serious water runoff and flooding, she said.

Parks that bring people to them create a further use of the community, which is self-sustaining and renewable, she said. Reilly asked who recycles their trash and composts and knows the difference between various plastics.

According to Reilly, Kirkbride could be converted by using various sections and floors of the building to create different communities. There could be shops and offices that allow individuals to mingle in their various endeavors, she said.

"The lack of neighborhoods means we're driving everywhere, kids can't ride their bikes because it's not safe," Reilly said. "Downtowns help keep a town sustainable." 

She cited Morristown, Westfield, Cranford and Princeton as offering the kinds of vibrant downtowns that keep people coming into towns. 

The Kirkbride building most recently housed administrative staff.  Significantly, it contains a historic chapel with an organ and stained glass, assets the group has seen been neglected. The building, while closed, has sustained water damage due to a hole in its roof.

“It’s obvious we want to hang on to the building. Greystone is a huge cultural presence in the area and it would be ridiculous to waste it,” said John Huebner, a member of the Preserve Greystone board of trustees.

Since the old building was closed, patients have been moved to a brand new and much smaller hospital on the grounds. Still, area residents have an affinity for the old place and want to see its past respected in some way.

In addition to local residents, politicians such as State Sen. Richard Codey and Denville Mayor Ted Hussa have expressed interest and concern in Greystone’s past and future.

Upcoming is a Greystone presence at the Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair on May 7 at Allaire State Park in Farmingdale. An oral history project will begin soon on the Preserve Greystone website with recollections from past patients, nurses and family members who will be able to add to the Greystone dialogue.