Children's Specialized Hospital is founded. Called Children's Country Home, its mission is to provide a place for needy children living in unhealthy, cramped tenements in nearby cities to escape to the country, enjoy fresh air and food, and improve their health and well-being.
During our first summer, 59 impoverished city children enjoyed such treats as horseback rides, blackberry-picking and picnics. Many returned home with donated clothes, shoes and hats.
Children's Country Home admits its first sick child.
Local doctors, dentists and nurses donate their time and skills to our children. "Our Home is now recognized by the workers among the poor in New York as a safe refuge and place of helpfulness for any sick and miserable children needing...quiet country living, pure air, simple, nourishing food and...sympathy and motherly care..." Miss Emma L. Bridges, Board of Managers president. (1914-1921).
Children are treated for ailments that include rickets, St. Vitus Dance, heart and lung trouble, asthma, tubercular joints, club feet and weakness from insufficient food.
We receive a gift from Dr. J. Ackerman Coles of a zinc statue of two children protected by an umbrella. The statue, which stands today in front of the main entrance in Mountainside, is a symbol of our caring, protective work.
A new, much-needed West Wing opens at Children’s Country Home, with a large dining room and dormitories.
On January 21, an organization of 19 members and five associates, known as “the young ladies” of the Auxiliary, forms to support the work of Children’s Country Home.
Children staying here enjoy tending their own “farm” animals, gathering fruit and fishing in the stream. On special days, visitors entertain them with ice cream and pony rides.
We had our very own baseball team
