Syracuse Developmental Center Clipping Files

Roughly chronological.

The series consists of clipping files and a small amount of publicity material tracing the history and development of the Syracuse Developmental Center. The files were likely kept by the institution's museum.

B1656-99: Articles pertain to prominent cases or problem care; profiles of superintendents, doctors, and other professionals; school classroom or recreational activities; medical news (epidemics, new treatments); and building projects. Only the earliest clippings are arranged in a scrapbook; later files may include whole sections or pages from newspapers, or single articles trimmed and pasted onto plain paper. Most, but not all, clippings are from Syracuse regional newspapers.

Records include an album (ca. 1867-1897) of clippings concerning the Syracuse Institution for Feeble-Minded Children. Articles document the early history of the institution (Asylum for Idiots) as well as associated state custodial asylums (at Rome, Newark) and similar facilities in other states (Iowa, Pennsylvania, Illinois). Several articles are illustrated by drawings and about one half-dozen by photographs of buildings, classes, and personnel. Of special note are a main floor plan of the service building, a profile, and a first-floor plan of the Attendant's Home at Letchworth Village (Thiells, N.Y.) which were found with the scrapbook.

The main clipping files span 1966-1978 and are grouped in two or three year periods. Some folders include typescript statements that were to be read to reporters who called about cases or health matters on which the school had received publicity. Others have manuscript notes indicating the clippings were received from others.

There is a very small amount of non-newspaper material. Some relates to teaching, such as a guide to vocational teaching of printing "Seventh and Eighth Grade Printing" (by L.S. Russell, n.d.); or a copy of a 1955 issue of "Reader's Digest Braille Edition" (Vol. 67, Part III, No. 401). Other matter relates to social or recreational programs and includes notices, commencement bulletins, a very few (ca. 6) unofficial black and white snapshots, and a few publicity pieces on the history of the school and new buildings. These materials may relate to articles found elsewhere in the clipping files.

B1656-00: This accretion consists of three sequential, partially labeled scrapbooks of clippings and a group of loose newspaper clippings. The earliest scrapbook is labeled "Dr. Cobb [superintendent], and H. (?) Edwards, steward." Clippings date from 1913-1926. The next scrapbook in sequence is labeled "Gov. Smith" and shows the names of Drs. Cobb, Rowe, and Bisgrove. Clippings date from 1926-1953. The third scrapbook is unlabeled and includes clippings from ca. 1949-1953. Also included is an envelope of loose clippings ca. 1928-1930, with the label "Roosevelt and the SSS" [Syracuse State School].

Restricted due to fragility. Use with assistance of archivist.