Lincoln Developmental Center

Variant names

Dates:

Establishment 1865

Disestablishment 2002

Active 1865

Active 1902

Active 1874

Active 1903

Active 1867

Active 1871

Active 1862

Active 1881

History notes:

Lincoln Developmental Center, an Illinois state developmental center for mentally handicapped children, was initially established (1865) by Illinois Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb directors instructed by the General Assembly to found an Experimental School for the Instruction and Training of Idiots and Feeble-Minded Children in the State of Illinois at Jacksonville. Following a five year trial period, the school was incorporated as the Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-Mined Children (1871).

As one of the state's permanent charitable institutions, it was to provide care, support, training, and education for mentally deficient children. A three-member board of trustees, appointed by the Governor, exercised general supervision and selected a superintendent to operate the institution. They also were subject to the investigative authority of the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities. Appropriations for the acquisition of land and the construction of buildings were made in 1875 but the institution's permanent quarters in Lincoln were not occupied until 1878. The institution had its own hospital and shops in which inmates manufactured brushes, mattresses, and shoes. Inmates also worked on a nearby farm owned and operated by the institution.

Additional name changes have included the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children (1877-1909); Lincoln State School and Colony (1909-1953); Lincoln State School (1953-1975); and Lincoln Developmental Center (1975-). Administrative responsibility for the school has belonged to the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities (1871-1909); Board of Administration (1909-1917); Dept. of Public Welfare (1917-1961); Dept. of Mental Health (1961-1975); and Dept. of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (1975- ).

The school was closed by Governor George Ryan in 2002.