If walls could talk

CENTRAL VALLEY — In a tucked away corner of Central Valley, walls in buildings of a former psychiatric facility beckon to its current owners to guess about the daily activities that took place, with the books and artifacts left behind serving only as clues. The story behind Falkirk Hospital is so interesting that the cable television show, “If Walls Could Talk,” part of the HGTV line-up, selected the property for an upcoming fall program. A crew recently spent almost 10 hours filming at the home of Wayne and Carla Corts, gathering footage for part of the 30-minute program. “If Walls Could Talk” tells the stories of homes and their illustrious or notorious histories. Many housed famous people or shady characters, while others are the sites of significant historical events. Some just have good stories associated with them. Each new episode is launched 11 p.m. on HGTV, with repeat shows running 7 p.m. weekdays. For the Corts residence, their house and its adjoining 13 buildings tell the story of the way care was given to the emotionally troubled in surroundings of stylish splendor. “I’m sure it was a place of elegance and grandeur,” said Carla Corts. “You could tell this place was just spectacular. We bought this place because of its beauty. I was just taken back and we had to have it.” In 1889, Dr. James Ferguson founded Falkirk, known at the time as Falkirk in the Ramapos, as a private sanatorium for the mentally ill. Named after his hometown in Scotland, the facility would become known as a “high scale, therapeutic resting estate for those with nervous disorders.” Ferguson, considered a pioneer in mental illness treatment and research, emphasized an open door policy for his patients, an innovative concept for its time. Falkirk’s ownership changed from 1906 to 1920 before the final owners, Dr. Charles Pilgrim - a Monroe native - and later his son-in-law Dr. Theodore Neumann Sr. and grandson Dr. Theodore Neumann Jr. assumed control of the facility until its closure in 1988. Tuxedo resident Nanette Bieber, who was good friends with Rodman Pilgrim Neumann, son of the younger doctor, compiled Falkirk’s history. The two grew up together and Bieber, a writer, knew about the hospital and family. That article was eventually passed on to HGTV and used as part of the decision-making process to include Falkirk in its upcoming show. “The hospital had a bad name and I wanted to make sure people knew how humane the Neumanns treated people,” Bieber said as a reason for writing the piece, which was also submitted to the Orange County Historical Society. “I wanted people to know the beauty of the place.” In 1992, Dr. Theodore Neumann Jr., who was elderly and infirm but still lived on the grounds after the facility’s closure, sold the 142 acre wooded grounds to the Cortses. Neumann took the items he wanted, but unknown to the Cortses, left many things behind. And when the Cortses moved in, they found these interesting items, among them: Patient records dating back to 1892, Falkirk brochures, furniture, artwork, horse-drawn carriages, china and thousands of books, including an autographed, first edition copy of Walt Whitman’s “November Boughs.” That book also contains a postcard written by the poet, dated July 27, 1888. “We found them locked away in rooms,” said Corts. “We were amazed. I took the pieces that I loved and put them in the house.” About a year ago, HGTV was filming in the area when it was told about the house. Corts sent them the historical information prepared by Bieber, and months later, producers asked for photographs of some of the items found on the property. A few weeks ago, she received a call from the show saying it wanted to come out to film the house, the other buildings, some of the artifacts and the Cortses for an upcoming show. “I didn’t realize we were going to be on TV,” said Corts. “I’m always on the other side taking pictures. I have a whole new respect for this type of work. It’s a lot harder than it looks.” Part of the shoot included having Corts and her husband change clothing and tape a reenactment of the first time they found some of the items left by previous owners. That portion will be presented in a black and white format for a more dramatic effect. The taping also included a visit by an antique appraiser who examined items the Cortses felt might have some value. “They asked that we don’t disclose any aspect of the appraisal process until the show comes out,” Corts said. Charity Nichols, an associate producer for “If Walls Could Talk,” and who is based in Centennial, Colo., said this would be the first time the show has done a segment on this type of former hospital. “I think it will be a very interesting piece and a fantastic story about a prominent hospital,” Nichols said. The Falkirk segment will be in two installments and has already been labeled episode 1802. Three different homes will be featured in the first 30-minute show. The second is the appraisal segment, where it will be it will be “revealed” what the items found in each home are worth. “People have found some pretty potential valuable items,” said Nichols. “Having a reveal episode allows us to tie up lose ends and freshen up the show to give viewers what they are interested in seeing. They want to find out if the stuff is worth $10 million or $10.” Would she give any hints? No way. “You’ll have to watch the show,” she added. Corts said the items are so unique to the house and its history that she felt she and her husband could never part with them, and the items they didn’t select to be on display are boxed away in secure areas of the property. “It was a wonderful, beautiful, tranquil, elegant place,” said Corts. “I don’t think we ever will sell or get rid of things. They belong here for eternity.”