Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Newsletters

Statement on Language

Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.

Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This series consists of newsletters produced by patients and staff of Utica and Marcy State Hospitals (later consolidated as Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center) to provide current information on the people and programs at these institutions. Patient publications feature quotations, poems, and short pieces on current events and issues; staff publications focus on personnel issues, staff training, departmental and hospital policies, and visits of public officials.
Title
Newsletters
Quantity
3.25 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
B1585
Creator
Arrangement

B1585-97: Arranged by title of newsletter.

B1585-98: Reverse chronological.

Scope and Content Note

B1585-97: This series consists of newsletters produced by patients and staff of the Utica and Marcy State Hospitals (later consolidated as Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center) to provide current information on events of general interest.

"The Opal" (1957-1976), named for a much earlier patient publication, was published (mimeographed) inhouse at Utica Psychiatric Center and contains quotations, poems, and short pieces by patients on current events and issues.

"The Umbrella" (1978-1994) was published quarterly to distribute news of the people and programs at the Utica/Marcy Psychiatric Centers (later Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center). Types of articles, information, and photographs include personnel news; staff training, recognition, achievements, and honors; departmental and hospital policies; visits of officials and dignitaries; news of various units and programs; and parties, celebrations, and recreation news.

Other scattered or short lived (mostly patient produced) publications include "Young Observer" (1968), published by adolescent patients at Utica State Hospital under auspices of the Recreation Department; "UTICAT" (1968), published by patients of the Utica Treatment Unit of Utica State Hospital; "The N.U. Dispatch" (1967-1968) and "The Voyagers Review" (n.d.), both published by patients of the Narcotics Unit; "IRUS" (1964-1967), published by the Intensive Retreatment Unit; and "Consumer Connection" (1992-1993).

B1585-98: This accretion consists of daily issues (1977-1994) of "Utica-Marcy Today" (later "Day...Today"). This staff produced publication contained announcements of interest to staff which included such subjects as blood drive schedules; Civil Service announcements of vacant positions; results of contests and raffles; items for sale; cafeteria menus; special programs; meetings; and policy announcements. The title was changed to "Day...Today" in December 1985 at the time Utica Psychiatric Center and Marcy Psychiatric Center were consolidated into Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center. "Day...Today" was published by the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Communications Committee.

B1540Series B1540, Issues of "Marcy News," Marcy Psychiatric Center Newsletter, 1968-1976

B1922Series B1922, Middletown Psychiatric Center Newsletters, 1935-2002

B1453Series B1453, Willard State Hospital Newsletter, 1957-1980, and

B1480Series B1480, "The Opal" Patient Newsletter, 1851-1860, also contain newsletters of mental health institutions.

Acquisition Information

B1585-97: These records were transferred to the State Archives on July 28, 1997 from Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center under RDA 19266.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

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