New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane Document, 1881 July 06

Overview of the Collection

Creator
State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane (Middletown, N.Y.)
Title
New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane Document
Dates
1881 July 06 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.01 Linear feet of shelf space, (1 Folder)
Collection Number
Cage 1787 (collection)
Summary
Document of appointment of James G. Graham as trustee of the New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane, in Middletown, New York, dated 1881 July 06. It contains the signatures of Alonzo B. Cornell, Governor of New York, and Joseph B. Carr, Secretary of State of New York.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane was a hospital for the treatment of mental disorders located in Middletown, New York. It opened on April 20, 1874, and was the first purely homeopathic hospital for mental disorders in the United States. It closed in 2006.

A note about the expression “insane asylum”: Publicly funded psychiatric hospitals, then known as insane or lunatic asylums, emerged in the 19th century as part of a trend toward institutionalization of people with mental illnesses. Originally designed by reformers to provide a retreat from common society, asylums often perpetrated abuses against marginalized members of society. In addition, it merits noting that terms like “insane” and “crazy” have a problematic history in that they have often been used to stigmatize any person considered “unacceptable” to powerful members of society. For instance, asylums have at times been used to confine not only people with mental illnesses but also elderly individuals, assertive women, and conscientious objectors. These words often have the effect of excluding particular groups while perpetuating stereotypes about mental illness.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

A one page document of appointment of James G. Graham as trustee of the New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane, in Middletown, New York, dated 1881 July 06. It contains the signatures of Alonzo B. Cornell, Governor of New York, and Joseph B. Carr, Secretary of State of New York.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane Document, 1881 July 06 (Cage 1787)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

In 2022, in response to evolving standards regarding the language used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities, Talea Anderson added a Historical Note to this finding aid.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Carr, Joseph Bradford, 1828-1895
  • Cornell, Alonzo B., 1832-1904
  • Graham, James G.

Corporate Names

  • State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane (Middletown, N.Y.) -- Records and correspondence