The New York State Asylum for Idiots was authorized by the New York State Legislature in 1851. When the school first opened it was located in Albany, New York and the first pupils were admitted in 1851. The rules stated by 1888 that children between the ages of seven and fourteen, who were idiotic, or so deficient in intelligence as to be incapable of being educated at any ordinary school, and who were not epileptic, insane or greatly deformed, were allowed admittance by the superintendent, with the advice and consent from the executive committee. The cornerstone for a new facility in Syracuse was laid in 1854 and the new institution opened in 1855 at a total cost of $73,000. Another $13,000 was appropriated for furnishings. Approximately fifty students were present at the institution and applications had been received for another fifty more. The appropriation made, however, would only cover about 75 for the coming year. The asylum grounds covered an area of about sixty-five acres, immediately adjacent to Burnet Park, the most of which was high land, overlooking the city and lake. The principal group of buildings, which were clustered around the original structure, facing the western extremity of Seymour Street, accommodated about 450 individuals.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:52:59 +0000