The Doctor Will Leech You Now: Dr. Cooke's Office Gets New Plaque

Last summer Bruce Mitchell and his family drove from Nuevo, California to visit a Holmdel medical facility.  Thankfully, it wasn't a sick visit.

Instead, Mitchell, 70, was “treated” to a private tour of the tiny medical office that belonged to his great-great grandfather, Dr. Robert W. Cooke, located near Village Elementary School on McCampbell Road. 

The Federal style building is believed to be one of the oldest existing professional doctor's offices.

Dr. Robert Cooke (1797-1867) built his office shortly after he settled in Holmdel in 1823. Mitchell's great grandfather, Dr. Henry Gansevoort Cooke (1833-1919) was a Civil War surgeon at Fredricksburg. Mitchell is related to the Cooke family through his mother, Adele Gansevoort. 

According to George Joynson, president of the Holmdel Historical Society, Mitchell has been a tremendous supporter of the Society’s efforts to research, document and maintain Dr. Cooke’s Medical Office.

When Bruce learned that his family's medical office was placed on the National Register of Historic Places through the efforts of the Society, he offered to pay for the plaque commemorating this achievement. Members learned of the $1000 gift at the March 16 meeting.

“I know how hard it is to get money to preserve these historic buildings,” said Mitchell, “And I'm just grateful that somebody has stepped up and is willing to take care of my family heritage.”

Because of Mitchell's own ancestral sleuthing, Joynson said he was able to piece together more information about the Cooke family, and locate Dr. Cooke’s medical instruments.

“I have cousins who live in Colts Neck,” said Mitchell, “and on a visit I discovered that they had three boxes full of medical instruments in the attic at the farm, so those instruments are on loan.”

According to Joynson, some of the medical supplies include a complete amputation kit made in 1719 and a glass leech tube that has amazingly survived intact after all these years.  An adjustable wooden leg brace and ivory handled lancets are on loan from the Monmouth County Historical Association.  The Holmdel Historical Society displays a collection of over 75 items that Dr. Cooke used in his practice.

Mitchell and the Historical Society discussed the commemorative plaque's wording, color, style and shape.  

Joynson hopes to have the plaque in place for the Monmouth County Historical Commission’s Weekend in Old Monmouth (WOM), April 30 from 10:00-5:00 pm, and May 1 from 12:00-5:00 pm, when Dr. Cooke’s office will be open to the public.

Historical Society members will be on hand that weekend to lead guided tours and demonstrate some of the nearly 200-year-old medical instruments.

The medical office joins six Holmdel properties listed on the New Jersey Register and the National Register of Historic Properties.

There are six other Holmdel properties listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Properties: the Dutch Reformed Church, the Holmes-Hendrickson House, the Upper Meeting House of the Baptist Church, the Horn Reflector Antenna, Covenhoven House, and Longstreet Farm. 

Mitchell, whose family includes five generations of physicians, all graduates of Columbia University in New York, cannot attend this year's activites.  He and his family are planning another trip east next year.

“The Historical Society really appreciates all the help and support we get from Bruce Mitchell,” said Joynson.

“There are people out there that do care about the history of Holmdel.”

Tours of Dr. Robert W. Cooke's Medical Office  can be scheduled by emailing George Joynson or by calling (732) 946-2743. The office is located at Village School, 67 McCampbell Road, Holmdel, New Jersey.