Creedmoor Psychiatric Center - Queens Center, N.Y. (photo: panoramio.com)
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  Chapel of Creedmoor Psychiatric Center - Queens Village (Queens), N.Y. (photo: Allen G. Dreyfuss)
Creedmoor Psychiatric Center

80-45 Winchester Boulevard
Queens Center (Queens), N.Y. 11427






Creedmoor Psychiatric Center was opened in 1912 as a Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital. At the time urban psychiatric patients were often sent to the fresh air of outlying areas. The hospital's name derives from the Creeds, a family that previously farmed the site. Beginning with 32 "inmates" (as they were then called), the number had swelled to 150 patients by 1918, and at its peak in 1959 the hospital housed some 7,000 patients. The hospital campus was expanded to include giant kitchens and laundries, gymnasiums, a swimming pool, a theater, and a television studio where patients were put to work. Patients also tended gardens and raised livestock on the hospital’s grounds. By the early 1960s, new medications were introduced that led to the deinstitutionalization of many psychiatric patients around the world.

In 1975, the land in Glen Oaks formerly used to raise food for the hospital was opened to the public as the Queens County Farm Museum. Another part of the campus was developed into the Queens Children's Psychiatric Center. In 2004, the remaining part of Creedmoor land was developed into the Glen Oaks public school campus, including The Queens High School of Teaching. By 2006, other parts of the Creedmoor campus had been sold and the inpatient census was down to 470. There are several disused buildings on the property, including the long-abandoned Building 25.
           
  Creedmoor Psychiatric Center Chapel - Queens Center (Queens), N.Y. (photo: Allen G. Dreyfuss)
   
  Console of Allen G. Dreyfuss organ, Op. 1 (1972) in Creedmoor Psychiatric Center - Queens Village (Queens), N.Y. (photo: Allen G. Dreyfuss)
  John Walter, Mrs. Dreyfuss, and Allen G. Dreyfuss
Allen G. Dreyfuss
Kew Gardens (Queens), N.Y. – Opus 1 (1972)
Electric action manual chests
Electro-pneumatic pedal and bass offset chests
2 manuals, 35 stops, 24 ranks



In the Chapel of Creedmoor is an organ built in 1972 by Allen G. Dreyfuss of Kew Gardens, Queens. Pipes of the organ are divided between two chambers, with the Great and Positiv divisions on the left, and the Swell and Pedal divisions on the right. Dreyfuss provided a three-manual stop-key console that is located among the choir stalls. The first public use of the organ was at a worship service on September 16, 1972.

The organ was given in memory of Elizabeth Trump Walter, and in honor of Mrs. Frank Dreyfuss, both of whom were longtime volunteers of the Protestant Service Organization of Creedmoor. Funding for the components was provided by the family of Mrs. Walter, and Mr. Dreyfuss provided his services without remuneration from Creedmoor.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bordun (wood)
85
2 2/3
  Nasat *
61
8
   Principal
61
2
   Octav *
61
8
   Erzähler
PO
2
   Flöte
—
4
   Octave
61
     Fourniture IV ranks
—
4
   Klein Gedeckt [from 16' Bdn.]
—
    
    [collective mixture from stops marked * ]
 
     
 
     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Rohrflöte
61
2
   Octave [from 4' Prin.]
—
8
   Gambe
61
     Plein Jeu III ranks
183
8
   Gambe Celeste [TC]
49
8
   Trumpet
61
4
   Principal
73
8
   Oboe
61
4
   Quintadena
61
     Tremolo  
               
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Offenflöte (wood)
61
1 1/3
  Quinte *
61
8
   Erzähler
61
1
   Sifflöte *
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
73
     Sesquialtera II ranks
—
2
   Principal [from 4' Fl. Harm.]
—
8
   Clarinet
61
1 3/5
  Terz
61
     Tremolo  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant
—
8
   Gedeckt
GT
16
   Subbass (wood)
32
4
   Choral Bass
SW
16
   Bordun
GT
16
   Bombarde
32
8
   Octav Bass [ext. SW 4' Prin.]
12
4
   Clarion [from 8' Trpt.]
SW
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Positiv to Great 8'
    Swell to Pedal 8'   Swell to Positiv 16', 8', 4'
    Positiv to Pedal 8'   Swell 16', 4', Unison Off
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'    
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Positiv Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
General Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb & toe)
     
Accessories
    Balanced Pedal – Great & Positiv   Sforzando (thumb & toe)
    Balanced Pedal – Swell    
    Crescendo Pedal    
           
Sources:
     Chan, Sewll. "The Lost World of Creedmoor Hospital," The New York Times (Nov. 12, 2009).
     Dreyfuss, Allen G. Electronic correspondence (9/5/2012) regarding organ and chapel.
     Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of Allen G. Dreyfuss organ, Op. 1 (1972).

Illustrations:
     Dreyfuss, Allen G. Chapel exterior and interior; Console of Allen G. Dreyfuss organ, Op. 1 (1972).
     www.panoramio.com. Creedmoor Campus Exterior.