Timeline

·          1845- Stephen Ayres Garrison (a Senator from Cumberland County) battled on the floor of the New Jersey Senate for his state to recognize the needs and the rights of mentally retarded children.

·          September 1, 1887- S. Olin Garrison (son of Stephen Ayres Garrison) founded the school for feebleminded children in his Millville home.

·          March 1, 1888- Garrison moves the school to Vineland. Philanthropist B. D. Maxham makes Scarborough Mansion and 40 acres of land available to Garrison. The original name is 'The New Jersey Home for the Education and Care of Feebleminded Children'. Initially there were 7 children but by the end of the first year this was home to 55 children (40 boys and 15 girls).

·          1888- At the urging of Reverend Garrison, an institution for mentally retarded women was established in Vineland, known today as the Vineland Developmental Center.

·          1892- The Cottage Plan, providing a more home-like atmosphere and individual care was formally announced.

·          1893- The school is now referred to as 'The New Jersey Training School'.

·          1900- Professor Edward R. Johnstone became head of 'The Training School' following the death of Rev. Garrison.

·          1904- Initiation of a six-week summer course for the training special classes teachers. Publication of The Training School Bulletin began under the name The Training School.

·          1906- The Psychological Research Laboratory founded with Dr. Henry H. Goddard as its first director.

·          1908- The Committee on Provisions for Feebleminded and Epileptics is formed.

·          1909- Research laboratory begins extensive work in human heredity. Demonstration Association to show farmers to show how to get best results with crops.

·          1910- Dr. Goddard proposes the term "moron" to identify higher level individuals, formally called feebleminded.

·          1911- Name Changed to The Training School at Vineland.

·          1912- Heredity study concluded by Research Department and published in a book known as The Kallikak Study. Research fellowships established.

·          1913- Menantico Unit opened four miles south of main campus. Start of Extension Department to gather and disseminate information about mental retardation to the world. Three staff members sent to Ellis Island at the request of the U.S. Commission of Immigration to test selected immigrants.

·          1918- Meeting at The Training School of the Committee of American Psychological Association which devised the Army Intelligence Tests for armed services under the direction of the U.S. Government.

·          1919- Research progresses on cephalometry, classification and training methods.

·          1920- Study of relation of brain capacity to intelligence.

·          1921- The Growth of Intelligence published.

·          1926- Research studies initiated on learning processes, borderline diagnosis, clinical categories and job analysis of occupational training population.

·          1929- Research staff act as advisor to Chilean government on special education.

·          1932- Mental Deficiency Due to Birth Injuries published by Edgar A. Doll.

·          1935- Mr. Doll publishes The Vineland Social Maturity Scale for the measurement of social competence.

·          1936- Babbitt Hospital opened for the study of birth injury children.

·          1941- Research staff take active part in national defense program. Vineland Social Maturity Scale accepted for military use.

·          1945- Dr. Walter Jacobs appointed director of The Training School, succeeding E. R. Johnstone.

·          1949- Research work on remedial reading, motor proficiency and character development begun.

·          1950- Pearl S. Buck "The Child Who Never Grew" published in Ladies Home Journal and Readers Digest, soon translated into 13 languages.

·          1953- Initiation of Our-Patient Clinical Services on a weekly basis. The Training School received $20,000 research grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

·          1954- Re-initiation of Annual Summer Teacher Training Institute.

·          1957- Initiation of summer teacher training sessions for credit in cooperation with Temple University. Study of reading methods in conjunction with Newark State Teachers College. Study of reading methods in conjunction with Newark State Teachers College.

·          1960- Construction of Merithew Cottage as demonstration project at Menantico Unit. Happiness Park Lodge constructed by Parents, Inc.

·          1965- Name changed to American Institute for Mental Studies - The Training School Unit (AIMS)

·          1972- Division of Emotional Disturbance developed within the Department of Psychology.

·          1981- Elwyn Institute of Media Pennsylvania assumes management control of AIMS, avoiding closure of the facility. Board of Trustees resign.

·          January 5, 1981- Earl A. T. Wilkie is named executive director. An attempt to "Rescuing a Treasure" plan renovations are begun campus-wide.

·          1982- A $300,000 grant from PEW Mammuel trust is awarded for renovation Facility receives a 3-year Commission for Accredited Rehab Facility accredited for Vocational Program.

·          1982- Education Program receives accreditation from New Jersey Department of Education.

·          1983- Multimillion-dollar campus redevelopment plan unveiled. First specialized Group Home opened. First Community Day Program opened in Vineland. College courses offered to staff on campus through a Handicapped Personnel Participation Grant.

·          1985- Additional community programs opened.

·          1986- Ground breaking ceremony initiates first phrase of campus redevelopment construction. Work begins on three cottages, education/recreation center and special services unit.

·          1987- Community Services are expanded. A cooperative research project with Glassboro and Temple on Communication is conducted. Graduate courses from Rutgers University are offered on campus.

·          1988- The historic name "The Training School at Vineland" is restored. The Training School Plan a yearlong ceremonial celebration. Alice M. Nash, Educational Center Opens. Whitman Cottage, Doll Cottage, & Goddard Cottage opens.

·          1989- Millville Adult Training Center opens. Opening of Intense Treatment Program.

·          1990- Non-Ambulatory Unit opens. Pre-school Handicapped Program opens.

·          1992- Project A.D.D.P.T. opens.

·          July 1, 1995- The Training School assumes management of the Cumberland Adult Training Center.

·         1996- The transition process is completed. On August 23, 1996 D'Ippolito Group Home is opened.