Sea View Historic Foundation

Sea View's humble beginnings in 1829 as a city poorhouse, known as the Farm Colony, laid the foundation for the facility's standing today as a valuable and viable community resource. Listed below are some additional historical milestones:

1913The City of New York began construction of Sea View Tuberculosis Hospital under the aegis of the department of Public Charities. At the time of the opening of the hospital on October 28, 1912, it was considered to be perhaps the finest hospital in the Country for the treatment of Tuberculosis.

It consisted of eight patient pavilions, arranged in a semi-circle about the Administration Building, Kitchen and Dining Hall. These pavilions were connected by an enclosing corridor on the ground floor. There also was a Rehabilitation Center of six units and a Children's Hospital. The official bed capacity of Sea View Hospital, including all of its available units, was 1,402. With excess beds, 1,682 patients could be accommodated. The highest census of the hospital was 2,000 patients in 1940-41. On visiting days, there were as many as 1,500 to 2,000 visitors.

Sea View Hospital was formally dedicated on November 12, 1913. Its final cost was four million dollars, twice the amount originally allocated. The New York Times account of the dedication described Sea View as the largest and finest hospital ever built for the care and treatment of those who suffer from tuberculosis in any form. 1

1914

Within a year of its opening, six of the eight pavilions were caring for about 400 patients, including fifty children. The hospital was well designed and indeed somewhat elegant. The tables in the living rooms were set with fine china, silverware and spotlessly white tablecloths and napkins. Shortly after it opened, it became impractical and costly to maintain this style, so the fine china and linen were replaced by more practical items. The New York City Public Library established small libraries on each of the 40 wards. Victrolas and records were introduced and a weekly dance hour became the most popular major attraction of the week. During the summer, the children were taken to a nearby private beach once a week. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops were introduced.

1960Sea View's medical staff played a significant role in the development of new drugs called isoniazids which aided in the arresting of tuberculosis and in subsequent recovery. By 1960, using new drugs, the demand of TB beds had fallen sharply and only a few TB patients remained at the hospital.

At this point in Sea View's history, the closing of the institution as a tubercular facility was about to take place. In the meantime, however, Farm Colony had become a hospital and home for over 1,400 geriatric patients.

1973The new Public Home Infirmary Care Building of 304 beds (renamed the Dr. Edward H. Robitzek Building in 1984) was dedicated on June 3.

1984The Adult Day Services Program was established. It provides outreach services to chronically ill and older people living in the community.

Sea View's Health Care Museum opened. The first health care museum in the State of New York exclusively dedicated to the history of health care. The Stiversa A. Bethel Museum in the former Nursing residence traces the evolution of health care practices and treatment spanning more than 150 years. Click here to visit the museum.

1985Sea View Farm Colony received NYC landmark status on March 26.

1986The Anthony R Gaeta Greenhouse became operational. This is the first therapeutically designed patient's greenhouse in the City's hospital system to provide year-round patient gardening activity.

1992Sea View opened the first Traumatic Brain Injury Unit in a long-term care facility in downstate New York. A 21-bed unit accommodates patients requiring active restorative rehabilitation, while a 38-bed unit is available for individuals needing extensive care. Brain injured patients previously were transferred to out-of-state facilities. Being close to home makes a great difference to patients and their families.

1994Sea View Hospital's name was changed to Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home to more accurately describe the services provided.

2000Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home is among the premier long-term care facilities in the country. The facility is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and recently received a deficiency free rating from the New York State Department of Health during an Article 28 survey on the quality of life issues.

Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home is positioned to embrace the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of health care, and is anticipating welcoming yet another milestone: the development of on-site Affordable Senior Housing community. Sea View is proud to be celebrating its 175 Year of service to the community.

1. 1985. Landmarks Preservation Commission. Sea View Hospital Historic District Designation Report. City Of New York, Edward I. Koch, Mayor. Gene A. Norman, Chairman, Eliot Willensky, Vice Chairman.