Mental Illness and Institutionalization: A Community Response
In the nineteenth century, signs of what would later be understood to be psychological disorders came to the forefront of American policy. Although the remedy for such conditions was in the very first stage of what would later be called psychiatric treatment, how to approach mental illness had already become a major concern for a variety of reasons. First, psychological disorders were widely misunderstood, and because of this, most people, even physicians, were unsure how to approach such conditions. Secondly, with the rise of industrialization, a schism began to develop where the rich were becoming richer, but the poor were becoming poorer. Because of this, many people were unable to afford mental health care, and as a result, turned to the government for aid. Could the country really afford to house the "mentally insane"? If it could not, who would? With the growing awareness of mental illness but a very primal development of therapeutic methods to combat such conditions, it became apparent that something had to be done . What was to happen to these people who were clearly suffering from some sort of psychological ailment? As awareness emerged, so did the rise of psychiatric institutions in the United States. One such institution was the St. Lawrence State Hospital.
Wise and Letchworth Bring Change To The North Country
In 1887, the proposal of a new psychiatric institution in New York became the subject of much debate. Influenced by the construction of the Willard Psychiatric Center in central New York, the government agreed that the north country would benefit from a psychiatric institution similar to Willard. In 1887, Ogdensburg, New York became a contender as the home of the psychiatric center. An 1887 description of Ogdensburg bragged that the city was "a healthy, fertile location that admits of perfect sewage, secures pure air, and boasts attractive scenery." Much like the Ogdensburg that can be found today, the area even then was associated with rolling hills, fresh, crisp air, farmland, and beautiful Adirondack scenery. In addition, the St. Lawrence River provided a perfect and convenient water supply for a large institution. The governor appointed a site selection commission including Dr. Peter M. Wise (superintendent of the Willard State Hospital) and William P. Letchworth (a member of the state Board of Charities who was also instrumental in establishing what is now Groveland Correctional Facility in Southern New York). They recommended Point Airy, a 950-acre tract of farmland bulging out into the St. Lawrence River. The state purchased the land for $90,500 in 1887. Indeed in late 1887, it was agreed to construct the new psychiatric center on Point Airy, a peninsula on the shore of the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg. Isaac Perry, a prominent architect, was ultimately chosen as the chief architect to design the asylum.
In the nineteenth century, signs of what would later be understood to be psychological disorders came to the forefront of American policy. Although the remedy for such conditions was in the very first stage of what would later be called psychiatric treatment, how to approach mental illness had already become a major concern for a variety of reasons. First, psychological disorders were widely misunderstood, and because of this, most people, even physicians, were unsure how to approach such conditions. Secondly, with the rise of industrialization, a schism began to develop where the rich were becoming richer, but the poor were becoming poorer. Because of this, many people were unable to afford mental health care, and as a result, turned to the government for aid. Could the country really afford to house the "mentally insane"? If it could not, who would? With the growing awareness of mental illness but a very primal development of therapeutic methods to combat such conditions, it became apparent that something had to be done . What was to happen to these people who were clearly suffering from some sort of psychological ailment? As awareness emerged, so did the rise of psychiatric institutions in the United States. One such institution was the St. Lawrence State Hospital.
Wise and Letchworth Bring Change To The North Country
In 1887, the proposal of a new psychiatric institution in New York became the subject of much debate. Influenced by the construction of the Willard Psychiatric Center in central New York, the government agreed that the north country would benefit from a psychiatric institution similar to Willard. In 1887, Ogdensburg, New York became a contender as the home of the psychiatric center. An 1887 description of Ogdensburg bragged that the city was "a healthy, fertile location that admits of perfect sewage, secures pure air, and boasts attractive scenery." Much like the Ogdensburg that can be found today, the area even then was associated with rolling hills, fresh, crisp air, farmland, and beautiful Adirondack scenery. In addition, the St. Lawrence River provided a perfect and convenient water supply for a large institution. The governor appointed a site selection commission including Dr. Peter M. Wise (superintendent of the Willard State Hospital) and William P. Letchworth (a member of the state Board of Charities who was also instrumental in establishing what is now Groveland Correctional Facility in Southern New York). They recommended Point Airy, a 950-acre tract of farmland bulging out into the St. Lawrence River. The state purchased the land for $90,500 in 1887. Indeed in late 1887, it was agreed to construct the new psychiatric center on Point Airy, a peninsula on the shore of the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg. Isaac Perry, a prominent architect, was ultimately chosen as the chief architect to design the asylum.
"Buildings are to have abundant air and sunlight, also grouped and massed so that the outlines produce the main feature representing their leading purpose, and harmonizing with their surroundings, ornamentation having been almost entirely avoided. The intention has been to produce a sense of solidity and a style or architecture requisite and proper for asylum purposes, and the buildings are characterized by discreteness, moderation, and propriety." -Isaac Perry
By 1890, the construction of the institution was completed, and in December of 1890, a group of the institution's first 140 patients was received from Rome, New York under the superintendency of Dr. Wise. 20 more patients were admitted each month during the year following the grand opening of the institution. Interestingly, for its first sixty years, the SLSH was entirely self-sustaining; a farm and 500 acres of farmland provided the institution with the food that was needed to feed the patients. Patients who were well enough to help were given the opportunity to help with the farm and fields. In addition, the institution had its own pumping station by the river, its own electric plant, fire station, and even a police station. A hospital designed to care for the patients also existed on the property, as well as a nursing school and a library.
Revolutionary Remodeling
Peter Wise was known to be revolutionary in his approach to psychiatric treatment. Early on, he petitioned to have the name of the "St. Lawrence State Asylum" changed to the "St. Lawrence State Hospital" due to the negative connotations associated with the word asylum. Not only did the New York State government acknowledge his request, they did the same for all asylums in the state. Shortly thereafter, the rest of the country followed suit, and most institutions removed the word "asylum" from their title.
Dr. Wise saw recreation as an important mental stimulant for his patients, and for this reason, incorporated entertainment as an important component of therapy at the St. Lawrence State Hospital. Entertainment included rides on a steamboat the hospital owned, sleigh rides, camping on Lotus Island, musical and comedy shows, and the like.
As overcrowding began to plague other institutions in New York, many patients were transferred to the SLSH. In response to the steady amounts of patients arriving to the institution, the SLSH rose to the challenge, and by 1910, cared for 2,158 patients. At this point, the hospital owned over 1,200 acres of land, 966 of which were cultivated. The real estate of the hospital was valued at $3,015,900, and over 400 people were gainfully employed there. The hospital was revolutionary in this way; it focused greatly on client centered treatment, and emphasized the importance of giving the patients at the hospital the chance to live normal, fulfilling lives. By the 1950's, the St. Lawrence State Hospital became the first entirely unlocked mental institution with its "open door policy." This led to an increase in community based mental health treatment, which includes creating a welcoming and helpful atmosphere for patients being reintegrated into society. This approach to psychiatry was revolutionary in terms of service, and it wasn't until after the Open Door Policy was instated at the St. Lawrence State Hospital that other institutions across the country began to adopt the same values.
All sources for this information can be found under the "References and Works Cited" link of the "Acknowledgements" tab.
Revolutionary Remodeling
Peter Wise was known to be revolutionary in his approach to psychiatric treatment. Early on, he petitioned to have the name of the "St. Lawrence State Asylum" changed to the "St. Lawrence State Hospital" due to the negative connotations associated with the word asylum. Not only did the New York State government acknowledge his request, they did the same for all asylums in the state. Shortly thereafter, the rest of the country followed suit, and most institutions removed the word "asylum" from their title.
Dr. Wise saw recreation as an important mental stimulant for his patients, and for this reason, incorporated entertainment as an important component of therapy at the St. Lawrence State Hospital. Entertainment included rides on a steamboat the hospital owned, sleigh rides, camping on Lotus Island, musical and comedy shows, and the like.
As overcrowding began to plague other institutions in New York, many patients were transferred to the SLSH. In response to the steady amounts of patients arriving to the institution, the SLSH rose to the challenge, and by 1910, cared for 2,158 patients. At this point, the hospital owned over 1,200 acres of land, 966 of which were cultivated. The real estate of the hospital was valued at $3,015,900, and over 400 people were gainfully employed there. The hospital was revolutionary in this way; it focused greatly on client centered treatment, and emphasized the importance of giving the patients at the hospital the chance to live normal, fulfilling lives. By the 1950's, the St. Lawrence State Hospital became the first entirely unlocked mental institution with its "open door policy." This led to an increase in community based mental health treatment, which includes creating a welcoming and helpful atmosphere for patients being reintegrated into society. This approach to psychiatry was revolutionary in terms of service, and it wasn't until after the Open Door Policy was instated at the St. Lawrence State Hospital that other institutions across the country began to adopt the same values.
All sources for this information can be found under the "References and Works Cited" link of the "Acknowledgements" tab.
The photos above were found in the public domain.