New York State Institution for the Blind Inventory Lists

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 lists information on the quantity, description, and value of durable and expendable items in the institution's inventory including furniture and other household furnishings; farm and shop machinery, tools, and implements; livestock; musical instruments; food and provisions; medicine; and other items. Amounts of specific items and their value are often listed by specific room, identified by occupant or purpose.
Title
Institution for the Blind inventory lists
Quantity
0.2 cubic feet; 1 volume(s); 1 35mm microfilm roll(s)
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
B0430
Creator
Arrangement

Chronological by year, then by general category or functional unit, and then by room.

Scope and Content Note

This series lists information on the quantity, description, and value of durable and expendable items in the institution's inventory. The records were kept in accordance with Chapter 587 of the Laws of 1865, by which the institution was established. The records are on pages 170-247 of an unlabelled volume which also contains stock lists and balance sheets for the school.

Information is present for supplies of: furniture and other houshold furnishings (for individual rooms and the chapel, laundry, bakery, etc.); farm and shop machinery, tools, and implements; livestock; musical instruments; food and provisions; medicine; and other items.

Amounts of specific items (e.g. bedsteads, chairs, wardrobes, sheets, gas lighters) and their value are listed, often according to a specific room number identified by occupant or purpose (e.g. "Room 61 - School Room" or "Room H - Mrs. Chase") and within a broad category (e.g. furniture, provisions). Values are totaled intermittently at the right column of each page, and amounts carried over.

A "Recapitulation" for 1881 (p. 211) and a "Summary of Inventory" for 1885 (p. 246-247) total the value of the inventory within categories and provide a grand total for the respective year. Categories for these summaries include: farm (livestock, utensils, produce, park furniture); broom shop (machinery and stock); bead department (stock, work in case); library (miscellaneous and embossed/raised print); medicine (stock in hand); fuel (coal and wood); provisions (vegetables, canned fruit); music (books and instruments); carpenter shop (tools, stock of lumber); furniture (general household and school, map apparatus, etc.); and laundry (soap, borax).

Occasional annotations appear irregularly in the lists referring to unidentified "Journal" or "Folio" numbers.

Alternate Formats Available

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

This series is included in a volume which also contains related Series B0428 Institution for the Blind Stock Book.

This series is included in a volume which also contains related Series B0429 Institution for the Blind Balance Sheets.

Custodial History

This series is included in a volume which also contains Series B0428, Stock Book, and Series B0429, Balance Sheets.

Access Restrictions

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

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