Finding Aid Search
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- People with mental disabilities--Institutional care--New York (State) (15)
- Intellectual disability facilities patients (14)
- Associations, institutions, etc.--Management (3)
- Intellectual disability facilities (2)
- Anniversaries (1)
- Architectural drawing--19th century--New York (State) (1)
- Asylums--New York (State) (1)
- Audio-visual materials (1)
- Building inspection (1)
- Census (1)
- Clothing and dress (1)
- Diet (1)
- Escapes (1)
- Medical care--Evaluation (1)
- People with mental disabilities--Care--New York (State) (1)
- People with mental disabilities--Institutional care (1)
- Phrenology (1)
- Physiognomy (1)
- Public architecture (1)
- Public relations (1)
- Surveying (1)
- Women athletes (1)
- (-) Children with mental disabilities--New York (State) (18)
- New York (State). Department of Mental Hygiene (17)
- New York (State). Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (17)
- Syracuse Developmental Center (9)
- Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children (9)
- Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives (8)
- New York State Asylum for Idiots (6)
- Syracuse State School (6)
- New York (State). Letchworth Village (1)
Displaying 18 Finding Aids
Title
- County admission registers
Series Number
- B1665
Summary
- This series consists of registers, organized by county, listing those admitted to the Syracuse Developmental Center (from the time it was called the New York State Asylum for Idiots, through all successive institutional name changes). The first volume lists name; town; class; age; sex; color; nativity; date admitted; how supported; how clothed; by whom committed; date discharged; date died; and remarks. Volumes 2 and 3 list name; number; age; date admitted; by whom committed; town; nativity; religion; date discharged; to whom discharged; and remarks.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Syracuse State School record of paroles/releases
Series Number
- B1664
Summary
- This series records those released "on parole" from the Syracuse State School, formerly the Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives (until 1919). Most volumes simply list name, date of parole, and date of return or discharge. Occasionally there are references, with dates, to escapes (elopement) or the reason for parole. There are rare mentions of transfer or death.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Daily census and activity registers
Series Number
- B1641
Summary
- The series consists of daily registers that record the population and activities of patients at the Syracuse State School and its predecessors. Starting in 1883, the asylum purchased and remodeled farm buildings at which older students were placed to learn farming and to produce crops. By 1931 the Syracuse State School had fifteen such "colonies" (eight junior boys' colonies, three senior boys' colonies, and four girls' colonies) and the work activities noted in these registers reflect that system.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Logbooks of residents and visitors
Series Number
- B1669
Summary
- The series consists of a group of logbooks that record visits to/from various institutional sites by residents, employees, state officials, and private citizens over a span of many years. The exact place for which visitation is monitored is not always specified.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives dietary record books
Series Number
- B1640
Summary
- The series consists of dietary records of the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, which was renamed in 1919 as the Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives. The registers list separate breakfast, dinner, and supper menus for family, employees, and pupils according to date and building.
Creator
- Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Record of escapes
Series Number
- B1661
Summary
- This series records those who escaped from Syracuse State School during the period 1934-1953. Entries are arranged according to the month in which the escape was reported; this roughly corresponds to a chronological arrangement by actual escape date (an escape may have occurred earlier than the month in which it is recorded). Periodic notes appear recording dates that escapes were reported to the Medical Inspector (probably during routine checks of the facility).
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Population census
Series Number
- B1674
Summary
- The series consists of monthly census summaries enumerating, by gender, the population of the Syracuse State School and its outlying colonies and cottages. Aggregate numbers, not names of individuals, are provided. Data document the expansion of the institution's colony system, as well as how regular admissions, discharges, elopements, and the policy of paroling residents affect total institutional population at a given time.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Syracuse State School "clothing books," ledgers, and cards
Series Number
- B1642
Summary
- This series consists of ledgers, cards, and "clothing books" that record purchase, cost, and/or distribution of clothing and shoes among students/patients. Ledgers show patient name, item and cost. Girls' clothing books are arranged by year, then alphabetically by type of clothing. Date and name of student is shown. Boys' volumes are arranged by name, then by year(s) and show numbers of items discarded or issued. Also included are a "Shoes Book" and a "County Clothing Account" book. Records are restricted.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- 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.
Title
- Syracuse Developmental Center historic prints and photographs
Series Number
- B1695
Summary
- Photographs take 1878-1925 consist of images of children in their school environment and in individual portraits taken for case files or descriptive admission applications. Later 20th century images show institutional activities like woodworking, farming, sports, and picnics. Some images are enlarged portraits of staff and board members. There is a small amount of miscellaneous print material such as descriptive application files, a plan of the school, greeting cards, programs and brochures.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Syracuse Developmental Center clipping files
Series Number
- B1656
Summary
- 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.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Restricted due to fragility. Use with assistance of archivist.
Title
- Syracuse Developmental Center audiovisual history files
Series Number
- B1639
Summary
- These files include photographs, slides, audio and videotapes, brochures, and scrapbooks that depict operations at Syracuse Developmental Center and its predecessor, the Syracuse State School. Included are images of Special Olympics; celebrations and achievements of patients and employees; educational health programs produced by staff for the public; and promotional and fundraising materials. Efforts to improve services for the developmentally disabled at Syracuse Developmental Center are documented, as well.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Access is restricted in part in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
- Subseries 9, Motion Picture Films of SDC Events and Residents, is restricted due to fragility, pending reformatting.
Title
- Syracuse State School medical inspection reports
Series Number
- B1644
Summary
- This series consists of reports, checklists, and notes of visits to the Syracuse State School and its colony facilities, by Department of Mental Hygiene medical inspectors. Earliest reports show Inspector's arrival and departure dates and times; patient census; new admissions; accidents; educational work and building inspection results. Also included are department transmittal letters, and report receipts. Reports for 1949-1955 are missing. Records are partially restricted.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Syracuse State School postcard collection
Series Number
- B1693
Summary
- The series consists of approximately 120 picture post cards, most of which were sent by employees or students of the Syracuse State School to staff members. All cards are stamped and cancelled. The color pictures typically show cities and landscapes primarily, but not exclusively, within New York State. Some appear to be reports from former students or their families. Fewer post cards were used for "business" messages.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Syracuse Developmental Center exhibit materials
Series Number
- B1692
Summary
- These materials depict children and staff in various therapeutic, educational, and recreational settings, classrooms, buildings, and grounds of the Syracuse State School. Also include are a history of the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, a portrait of Dr. Hervey Wilbur, and records of the observance of the 125th of the opening of the Syracuse Developmental Center.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Records depicting students are restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
- Records are also restricted due to fragility, pending treatment. Use with supervision of archivist.
Title
- Syracuse Developmental Center historic prints and negatives
Series Number
- B1691
Summary
- These historic photographs were collected and displayed by Syracuse Developmental Center staff in the facility's museum. Most images date from the 1920s when the institution was the Syracuse State Institution for Mental Defectives; half of them are student portraits.
Creator
- Syracuse Developmental Center
Access Restrictions
- Access to items depicting patients is restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Syracuse State School admission, discharge, death, and transfer records,
Series Number
- B1647
Summary
- This series documents admissions; discharges and transfers of the New York State Asylum for Idiots; the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children; the Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives and the Syracuse State School. Information is also present in some volumes for death, parole, and escape (elopement). Of note in the early descriptive and admission volumes are the family history data and physiognomic and phrenological data. A few applicant photographs accompany the earliest descriptions. Records are restricted.
Creator
- Syracuse State School
Access Restrictions
- Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Title
- Survey on public school classes for mentally deficient students
Series Number
- A4224
Summary
- This series consists of completed surveys from public school principals in New York providing information on students in classes for the mentally deficient. Information includes number of special classes, teachers, and students; special training received by teachers; and student personal information including name, address, actual and mental ages; country of origin for student and/or parents; when parents immigrated; language spoken at home; family income and parent's occupation. Some surveys include letters elaborating on the survey responses. Records are restricted.
Creator
- New York (State). Commission to Investigate Provision for the Mentally Deficient
Access Restrictions
- Restricted to protect personal privacy.Access may be permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the State Archives.