Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane Document
1881 July 06
Cage 1787
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane (Middletown, N.Y.)
- Title
- New York State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane Document
- ID
- Cage 1787
- Date [inclusive]
- 1881 July 06
- Extent
- 0.01 Linear feet of shelf space, 1 Folder
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- 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.
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.
Biography/History
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.
Scope and Content
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.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2022
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Processing Information
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 Subjects
Corporate Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane (Middletown, N.Y.) -- Records and correspondence
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Graham, James G.
- Carr, Joseph Bradford, 1828-1895
- Cornell, Alonzo B., 1832-1904
Subject(s)
- Mental Health
- Medicine and Health