A Historical Landmark Steeped in Memory
Nestled in the hamlet of Barkersville, in Galway, New York, the Saratoga County Homestead, more familiarly known as the Homestead Sanitarium, is a relic of a bygone era. This sturdy brick building, replacing its wooden predecessor in 1932, was originally home to tuberculosis patients from 1914 to 1960.
Saratoga Sanitarium wasn’t just a treatment place but a community. A place where patients spent their days under the meticulous care of dedicated doctors and nurses, confined to a strict regimen of bed rest, carefully monitored exercise, and regular meals.
A place where the mingling of men and women was forbidden, and alcohol, obscene language, and tobacco were banned. The only sounds that filled the air were the soft rustling of pages turning and the gentle whispers of conversation – dancing and “unnecessary noise” were strictly prohibited.
A Community of Healing
The simple act of breathing held a decisive significance at the Saratoga Sanitarium. Patients lined up on the sun-drenched porch often, soaking up the fresh air and sunshine.
On warmer days, some patients would sit outside, baring their chests to the sun and air, in an attempt to breathe life back into their ailing lungs.
The sanitarium wasn’t just about healing bodies but also about enriching minds. There was a theater where live performances were staged. Unfortunately, not all patients were healthy enough to enjoy these cultural offerings.
Regarding the usage of the place during WWII, there was a theater where films were shown. There is a record of a patient disappointed in not being allowed to see the new movie “Casablanca,” released in 1942, due to her illness.
The son of the Homestead’s superintendent remembers Tuesday movie nights well and some live performances, including a staged poetry reading with actor Monty Woolley.
A Site of Contention and Misconception
Despite its significant role in the community, the sanitarium had its share of controversy and misconception. The county Board of Supervisors originally planned to open a TB hospital in Greenfield on the Vischer Whipple Farm. Still, this plan was met with resistance from residents fearing the spread of infection.
Over the years, the Homestead Sanitarium has been the subject of various myths, with some even alleging it to be haunted. But according to local historians, there’s no truth to these ghostly tales.
The Homestead never functioned as a mental asylum where murders took place, and there’s no cemetery on its grounds – families took the bodies of the deceased away, just as they do now.
The doctors and nurses at the sanatorium were dedicated to their work, providing meticulous care to TB patients with a strict bed and chair rest regimen, regular meals, closely observed exercise, an evening “nourishment,” and a 9 pm bedtime. Many vintage photographs show patients lined up on the sunny porch with open windows letting in the fresh air.
The Homestead Sanitarium Today
After treating patients for tuberculosis until 1960, the sanitarium was reopened in 1961 as The Saratoga County Infirmary. In the 1980s, the building was sold to Bruce Houran, who planned to reopen it as a healthcare-related facility.
The Homestead was sold again in a tax auction in September 2019 to its current owner, James Walk. The property has a total of 28.6 acres with four buildings of 73,600 square feet. The assessed value of the property was $208,500.
Today, the building remains vacant but is set to undergo renovations. The blueprint for the property’s future is filled with noble and innovative initiatives.
It includes the development of a tranquil retreat for veterans, the infusion of local commerce through the addition of small businesses, and the creation of an agricultural training program accompanied by verdant outdoor gardens. In addition, there are plans to pay homage to the site’s past with a living museum chronicling its history as a tuberculosis hospital.
The caretaker’s house is scheduled as the first stage of rehab for the entire property. Proceeds from ticket sales for tours and investigations will be used to rehabilitate the facility, with any surplus donated to a nonprofit for veterans and first responders.
The Homestead Sanitarium in New York State, once a place of healing and respite, is now poised for a new chapter, honoring its past while looking to the future.
Conclusion
The Saratoga County Homestead has stood the test of time, with tales woven around its brick structure like ivy. Whether these stories send shivers or stir your curiosity, the Homestead beckons you to explore its halls and unravel the truth.
Perhaps the rustling leaves are merely the wind or maybe, just maybe, a testament to the echoes of times long past.
So, why not pay a visit? Come and discern if this place is haunted or simply an emblem of an era gone by. Embark on an adventure and uncover the true story of the Saratoga County Homestead Sanitarium.
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