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history
When Matilda S. McCready (born Matilda Staunton Craig and
known to most as Aunt Daisie) died in 1933, the written will
she left outlined her concept of mental illness and her plans
for a treatment center. It was her dream to build and maintain
"a home for the treatment and care of persons suffering from
curable neurotic, mild mental and kindred ailments, wherein
persons undergoing treatment may have the benefit of fresh
air, sunshine and rural surroundings in ample ground for work
and recreation without being brought in contact with those
suffering from incurable forms of the same trouble." Mrs.
McCready wanted the home to be built on her property known
as Staunton Farm. The property was located across the Ohio
River from Sewickley, Pennsylvania. In accordance with her
wishes, the Staunton Farm Foundation was incorporated in 1937.
Shortly after incorporation, it became apparent that there
were not enough funds in Mrs. McCready's estate to build and
operate the kind of facility that she wanted. Fortunately,
she foresaw this possibility in her will and stated, "In the
event that advances in medical science or in social conditions
render carrying of the home…impractical, the directors of
Staunton Farm may, with the consent of Orphan's Court of Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, change its character so as to suit the
needs of the time, keeping always in view the effort to alleviate
the condition of the sick and unfortunate." Charged with exploring
different options, the directors' investigation progressed
rapidly.
In 1947, after careful study, the Staunton Clinic was established in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine. This clinic, started as a pilot project, was housed in the University's Falk Clinic until 1977. Major funding helped the Sewickley Valley Hospital establish a similar clinic in 1963, and later an inpatient facility. As the Foundation's assets grew, grants were made to other Allegheny County agencies working in the field of mental health. The grantees included Craig House for Children, Visiting Nurse Association of Allegheny County and many more throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s, the number of grantees increased, and by 1979, thirteen grants were awarded. The geographic focus of the Foundation was expanded to the ten-county area of southwestern Pennsylvania in 1986. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Foundation in 1987, a chair of Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry was endowed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The Foundation's assets have been used and will continue to
be used to support one to three-year grants for specific programs,
which are in keeping with the will of Matilda S. McCready
and have been related to patient care.
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