Building plans and drawings for the New York State Idiot Asylum
Series Number
B1643
Summary
An 1851 law provided for the state to undertake the care and teaching of "idiots" (the contemporary term for people with certain developmental disabilities). The New York State Asylum for Idiots, with a capacity for 100 residents, was completed on August 10, 1855. The series consists of 19th century watercolor renderings and pencil and ink drawings of the original building. The asylum was the first public facility in the nation for the care and treatment of persons with mental retardation.
Creator
Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
This series from the Comptroller's Office consists of payrolls, correspondence, bills, receipts, contracts, abstracts of vouchers, and one resolution for various New York State asylums including: New York State Asylum for Idiots, New York Lunatic Asylum, Binghamton Asylum for the Insane, New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women, New York State Inebriate Asylum, New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home, New York State Institution for the Blind, and the Long Island State Hospital.
Creator
New York (State). Comptroller's Office
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.