Livingston Historical Society: Preserve Greystone

LIVINGSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: “PRESERVE GREYSTONE”

The Livingston Historical Society will hold its next meeting on Monday, February 25th at the Senior/Community Center (on 204 Hillside Ave. Livingston ) at 7:30pm.

The topic for Monday will center around “Kirkbride” the massive Main Asylum at Greystone Park in  Parsippany, a 19th Century French Renaissance/Second Empire style building set in the middle of  Morris County.

“It was the pride of a nation when it was put up in 1876, resembling a medieval castle “said John Huebner, who will present the program. He is Chairman and Trustee of “Preserve Greystone” which is a group dedicated to prevent this unique treasure from falling through the cracks. Also speaking will be Marjorie Wormser, an historic preservationist whose projects include interpretive studies and mentoring graduate-level architecture fieldwork with structures dating back to 1832, and preservation/restoration efforts at the Thome Oaks in Morristown.

At present a study is being conducted to investigate the feasibility of properly preserve and reuse the property that originally had been considered a state of the art facility housing the mentally ill, then over the years became overcrowded and evolved into a symbol of inhumane treatment of those institutionalized there.

Now the question remains: What should be done with this magnificient public heirloom?

The meeting is open to the public free of charge. Refreshments will be served.