All Blog Posts in "Asylums"
The Buffalo State Hospital Farm Colony, Wilson, New York
June 30, 2014
By Dr. James M. Boles, Senior Research Advisor As the Museum of disABILITY History continues to research the history of Buffalo State Hospital in preparation for a new Abandoned History Series™ publication, more information has been uncovered about the Wilson Farm Colony. Our initial research was directed to the land owned by the Dwight family in the Town of Wilson. This was based upon an inquiry from a Wilson resident and New York State reports. However, with the assistance of the Town of Wi…
Shattering the Stigma of Institutionalization
March 15, 2013
By David Mack-Hardiman, Contributor
The fall of 1928 was an exciting time for John and Molly and their young family in Whitesboro, New York, a sleepy town outside of Utica. Molly was expecting their fifth child and their older children were eagerly looking forward to the change of seasons and holiday season.
Born in New York City, John was orphaned at an early age and was raised by members of his extended family in Central New York. He was a book keeper for a local business, vo…
History of a Home
December 28, 2012
By Meghan McMonagle, Contributor You cannot help but be moved when you are confronted with images of old asylums at the Museum of disABILITY History, located in Buffalo, NY. The majestic exteriors poorly represent the deplorable conditions concealed inside for patients who were forced to reside there, removed from participating in society. Asylums have become a part of America’s past; however, parts of our society still resist the integration of people with disabling conditions into their…