Lyons VA Medical Center, hospital in Lyons, New Jersey
The Lyons VA Medical Center is a veterans hospital on a large campus in Bernards Township. The main buildings were constructed from 1929 to 1931 in Classical Revival style with Corinthian pilasters, pediments, and a small dome; the grounds span approximately 300 acres and include 31 significant historic buildings along with various support structures.
The hospital was founded in 1928 after the government purchased the Knollcroft estate from Walter Reynolds for $130,000 to serve veterans returning from World War I. The first patients arrived in 1930, and the official dedication ceremony featuring prominent General Smedley D. Butler took place in 1931.
The name Knollcroft comes from the original estate that stood on this land. The buildings display patriotic design elements such as Colonial Revival and Classical Revival styles that reflect the institution's significance for veterans.
The campus is located on Knollcroft Road, roughly 2.5 miles southwest of Basking Ridge, and is easily accessible on foot since it is surrounded by residential areas and parks. Visitors should note that the grounds are expansive and it is best to start with public areas or guided tours to fully explore the historic buildings and structures.
The campus featured a fully operational farm where patients helped raise livestock and grow fruits and vegetables as part of their therapy. A nine-hole golf course was built in 1947 by renowned designer Robert Trent Jones and was one of the few golf courses specifically designed for wounded veterans.
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