Syracuse Developmental Center

The Syracuse State School was renamed the Syracuse Developmental Center (SDC) in 1973. It provided institutional services for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities requiring the most intensive level of care. The Syracuse Developmental Disabilities Services Office (SDDSO) was one of a statewide network of Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs) that provided programs and services for the care, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and training of the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. In 1995, the Rome and Syracuse DDSOs merged to become the Central New York DDSO. Three years later, in 1998, the Syracuse Developmental Center closed.

From the description of Audiovisual history files, [ca. 1970-1994]. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 122520017

FUNCTIONS. The Syracuse Developmental Center was one of a statewide network of developmental centers operated by the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). The center provided institutional services for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities requiring the most intensive level of care. It served Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties. The center's board of visitors consisted of seven members, appointed by the governor with confirmation of the senate, who served four-year terms.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY. The Laws of 1851 (Chapter 502) authorized the governor to appoint trustees to establish an "Asylum for Idiots" to care for and educate a select number of the mentally retarded. The trustees were to procure a building and select pupils-- some from families unable to provide for their support (representative, based on residence in each of the state's judicial districts); the remainder "conveniently received" from those who could privately pay. The trustees reported annually to the legislature on the condition of the institution.

An experimental school was set up in Albany by Dr. Hervey B. Wilbur, and after two years prominent Syracuse citizens successfully petitioned the trustees to accept donated land near Syracuse as the site for a permanent institution. The building, with a capacity for 100 residents, was completed in 1855.

Chapter 220 of the Laws of 1862 reorganized the state asylum. Power was vested in a new board of trustees empowered to appoint a superintendent as chief executive officer, and to otherwise attend to the general direction and control of property and concerns of the institution. Dr. Wilbur, who was instrumental in developing the institution, was the first superintendent. He served until his death in 1883.

In 1867, the trustees proposed establishment of an institution for those residents who "could not profit by a school curriculum." This resulted in creation of the Newark Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women, which was managed as a branch of the Syracuse school until it became a separate entity in 1884.

In 1883, a farm was purchased in Fairmount, five miles from Syracuse. Buildings were remodeled and older students were placed there to learn farming and to raise crops for other state schools. This was the first of many "colonies" established. Dr. G.A. Doran became superintendent in 1883. After an interim period when Alvira E. Wood (matron of the institution since it opened) was acting superintendent, Dr. James S. Carson was appointed. He served for 27 years.

In 1886, the trustees recommended a separate facility be created for "unteachable boys." This led to opening of the Rome State Custodial Asylum for Unteachable Boys in 1894. In 1889, the trustees recommended a separate facility for those with epilepsy, and in 1896 the Craig Colony in Sonyea was opened. Chapter 51 of the Laws of 1891 changed the name of the asylum to the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, the name it retained until 1919. Dr. O.H. Cobb was named superintendent in 1912.

In 1919, the State Commission for Mental Defectives (formerly the State Commission for the Care of the Feeble-Minded) was empowered to divide the state into as many institutional districts as there were state institutions for "mental defectives" (Chapter 633, Article 2, Section 11), with the exception of the State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, which was renamed the Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives (Article 3, Section 15). It was to be maintained as a school, limited as far as possible to children of school age who were capable of benefiting from instruction.

In 1923 there were seven colonies for boys and girls. In 1926, the main dairy at Fairmount colony burned and the "Antrim Farm" colony was purchased. The institution was again renamed and became the Syracuse State School. By 1931 the system had grown to 15 colonies-- eight junior boys' colonies, three senior boys' colonies (one was a parole colony), and four girls' colonies. Facilities included substantial medical and children's libraries. Dr. Charles E. Rowe was superintendent.

Dr. Sidney W. Bisgrove became superintendent in 1942. In the post-war era the Syracuse State School enlarged the colony system, adding a hatchery unit and other improvements. Physical renovations and construction was tied to the patient-program aspect of the school. In 1945, a Boy Scout program for school-age boys was started. By 1946 the number of colonies operated by the State School increased to sixteen.

During the 1950s there was extensive development of a community placement program, placing children not only in the colonies, but also in "community status" under the direct supervision of the Department of Social Services. The colony system shifted from agricultural to urban employment. A "volunteer program" began in 1954 that emphasized recreational clubs for girls. The volunteer group, working with the Community Cares Council and school staff, held an Institute on Mental Retardation in January 1960. This resulted in talks that culminated in a work-study program in a community setting, called Onondaga Residence. In 1957 Dr. Arthur G. Rogers was appointed director.

In 1962, Dr. Jacob Schneider became director. The school sponsored an exploratory study to determine the use of the Initial Teaching Alphabet (ITA) to teach reading to educable children with mental retardation. In 1964, five colonies were turned over to the Syracuse Psychiatric Center for the training of blind and emotionally disturbed children. Other colonies closed in the mid-1960s, and placement into group homes increased. Dr. Lloyd E. Watts served as acting director from 1965 until 1967, when Dr. George Buchholtz was named. In 1969 the Syracuse State School opened its first family care home, a unique residential option for adults.

The 1970s marked the start of a major philosophical change in the care and treatment of people with developmental disabilities, as the "normalization movement" reached America. Only those with severe and profound retardation were left in developmental centers. The last crop plantings on institution farms was in 1971. A series of budget bills for the Syracuse State School provided appropriations for a "new school for the mentally retarded" including money for service connections, improvement of grounds, acquisition of property, equipment, and related work. The cornerstone was laid in 1971, and in 1972 a new facility with far less capacity replaced the original landmark institution. In 1973, it was renamed the Syracuse Developmental Center (SDC).

In 1972, the SDC began the Children's Fundamental Learning program (CFLP). Day care therapeutic and special education programs were provided for developmentally disabled children living at home. The program closed in 1982 as children received services through local school districts. Similarly, the Adult Care Program (ADC) served individuals over age 21. It was assimilated into other day programs operated by SDC in the late 1970s. Importantly, one of the first respite programs in the state was established in concert with these two day programs. In 1975, a sheltered workshop was created; from 1977 to 1979 the majority of the work program moved out of the SDC. In 1976-1977 old "colonies" were reconfigured as community residences. Dr. Michael Dillon was appointed SDC director in 1979.

An Intermediate Care Facility was opened in 1982. The Margaret E. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center was founded in 1983 to provide diagnostic evaluation, high-risk screening, intervention, and community education. Starting in 1984 off-site workstations or "enclaves" were begun that focused on personal and vocational skill development. Madison County pioneered OMRDD-sponsored supportive living by its Supported Apartment Independent Living program (started in 1984). The state's first Healthcare Transition Unit opened in 1987. A new state-of-the-art workshop opened in North Syracuse, and smaller workshops were closed. Major construction and infrastructure repairs took place in October 1988.

In 1992 people with disabilities were offered the option to choose only the services they desired or needed, through Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), rather than enrolling in traditional service models. Ernest debate on closing the SDC facility began in 1992-1993. Closure plans were developed in 1995, when, in February, Governor Pataki announced reduction of the number of Developmental Disability Services Offices (DDSO) statewide and merger of the Rome and Syracuse districts. In May 1995, Stephen M. Smits was named director of the new district, called the Central New York DDSO, with a service area of Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, and Lewis counties.

In February 1996 the governor's budget address included reduction of the DDSO census, with closure of the SDC to be completed by March 1997. Closing was delayed to allow OMRDD to acquire and renovate two residences for the most medically involved people still residing at the SDC. In March 1998 those individuals moved; a ceremony marking closure of the SDC was held on June 17, 1998.

From the description of Syracuse Developmental Center sub-agency history record. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 79366736

The Laws of 1851 (Chapter 502) authorized the governor to appoint trustees to establish an "Asylum for Idiots" to care for and educate a select number of the mentally retarded. The trustees were to procure a building and select pupils-- some from families unable to provide for their support (representative, based on residence in each of the state's judicial districts); the remainder "conveniently received" from those who could privately pay. The trustees reported annually to the legislature on the condition of the institution.

An experimental school was set up in Albany by Dr. Hervey B. Wilbur, and after two years prominent Syracuse citizens successfully petitioned the trustees to accept donated land near Syracuse as the site for a permanent institution. The building, with a capacity for 100 residents, was completed in 1855.

Chapter 220 of the Laws of 1862 reorganized the state asylum. Power was vested in a new board of trustees empowered to appoint a superintendent as chief executive officer, and to otherwise attend to the general direction and control of property and concerns of the institution. Dr. Wilbur, who was instrumental in developing the institution, was the first superintendent. He served until his death in 1883.

In 1867, the trustees proposed establishment of an institution for those residents who "could not profit by a school curriculum." This resulted in creation of the Newark Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women, which was managed as a branch of the Syracuse school until it became a separate entity in 1884.

In 1883, a farm was purchased in Fairmount, five miles from Syracuse. Buildings were remodeled and older students were placed there to learn farming and to raise crops for other state schools. This was the first of many "colonies" established. Dr. G.A. Doran became superintendent in 1883. After an interim period when Alvira E. Wood (matron of the institution since it opened) was acting superintendent, Dr. James S. Carson was appointed. He served for 27 years.

In 1886, the trustees recommended a separate facility be created for "unteachable boys." This led to opening of the Rome State Custodial Asylum for Unteachable Boys in 1894. In 1889, the trustees recommended a separate facility for those with epilepsy, and in 1896 the Craig Colony in Sonyea was opened. Chapter 51 of the Laws of 1891 changed the name of the asylum to the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, the name it retained until 1919. Dr. O.H. Cobb was named superintendent in 1912.

In 1919, the State Commission for Mental Defectives (formerly the State Commission for the Care of the Feeble-Minded) was empowered to divide the state into as many institutional districts as there were state institutions for "mental defectives" (Chapter 633, Article 2, Section 11), with the exception of the State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, which was renamed the Syracuse State School for Mental Defectives (Article 3, Section 15). It was to be maintained as a school, limited as far as possible to children of school age who were capable of benefiting from instruction.

In 1923 there were seven colonies for boys and girls. In 1926, the main dairy at Fairmount colony burned and the "Antrim Farm" colony was purchased. The institution was again renamed and became the Syracuse State School. By 1931 the system had grown to 15 colonies-- eight junior boys' colonies, three senior boys' colonies (one was a parole colony), and four girls' colonies. Facilities included substantial medical and children's libraries. Dr. Charles E. Rowe was superintendent.

Dr. Sidney W. Bisgrove became superintendent in 1942. In the post-war era the Syracuse State School enlarged the colony system, adding a hatchery unit and other improvements. Physical renovations and construction was tied to the patient-program aspect of the school. In 1945, a Boy Scout program for school-age boys was started. By 1946 the number of colonies operated by the State School increased to sixteen.

During the 1950s there was extensive development of a community placement program, placing children not only in the colonies, but also in "community status" under the direct supervision of the Department of Social Services. The colony system shifted from agricultural to urban employment. A "volunteer program" began in 1954 that emphasized recreational clubs for girls. The volunteer group, working with the Community Cares Council and school staff, held an Institute on Mental Retardation in January 1960. This resulted in talks that culminated in a work-study program in a community setting, called Onondaga Residence. In 1957 Dr. Arthur G. Rogers was appointed director.

In 1962, Dr. Jacob Schneider became director. The school sponsored an exploratory study to determine the use of the Initial Teaching Alphabet (ITA) to teach reading to educable children with mental retardation. In 1964, five colonies were turned over to the Syracuse Psychiatric Center for the training of blind and emotionally disturbed children. Other colonies closed in the mid-1960s, and placement into group homes increased. Dr. Lloyd E. Watts served as acting director from 1965 until 1967, when Dr. George Buchholtz was named. In 1969 the Syracuse State School opened its first family care home, a unique residential option for adults.

The 1970s marked the start of a major philosophical change in the care and treatment of people with developmental disabilities, as the "normalization movement" reached America. Only those with severe and profound retardation were left in developmental centers. The last crop plantings on institution farms was in 1971. A series of budget bills for the Syracuse State School provided appropriations for a "new school for the mentally retarded" including money for service connections, improvement of grounds, acquisition of property, equipment, and related work. The cornerstone was laid in 1971, and in 1972 a new facility with far less capacity replaced the original landmark institution. In 1973, it was renamed the Syracuse Developmental Center (SDC).

In 1972, the SDC began the Children's Fundamental Learning program (CFLP). Day care therapeutic and special education programs were provided for developmentally disabled children living at home. The program closed in 1982 as children received services through local school districts. Similarly, the Adult Care Program (ADC) served individuals over age 21. It was assimilated into other day programs operated by SDC in the late 1970s. Importantly, one of the first respite programs in the state was established in concert with these two day programs. In 1975, a sheltered workshop was created; from 1977 to 1979 the majority of the work program moved out of the SDC. In 1976-1977 old "colonies" were reconfigured as community residences. Dr. Michael Dillon was appointed SDC director in 1979.

An Intermediate Care Facility was opened in 1982. The Margaret E. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center was founded in 1983 to provide diagnostic evaluation, high-risk screening, intervention, and community education. Starting in 1984 off-site workstations or "enclaves" were begun that focused on personal and vocational skill development. Madison County pioneered OMRDD-sponsored supportive living by its Supported Apartment Independent Living program (started in 1984). The state's first Healthcare Transition Unit opened in 1987. A new state-of-the-art workshop opened in North Syracuse, and smaller workshops were closed. Major construction and infrastructure repairs took place in October 1988.

In 1992 people with disabilities were offered the option to choose only the services they desired or needed, through Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), rather than enrolling in traditional service models. Ernest debate on closing the SDC facility began in 1992-1993. Closure plans were developed in 1995, when, in February, Governor Pataki announced reduction of the number of Developmental Disability Services Offices (DDSO) statewide and merger of the Rome and Syracuse districts. In May 1995, Stephen M. Smits was named director of the new district, called the Central New York DDSO, with a service area of Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, and Lewis counties.

In February 1996 the governor's budget address included reduction of the DDSO census, with closure of the SDC to be completed by March 1997. Closing was delayed to allow OMRDD to acquire and renovate two residences for the most medically involved people still residing at the SDC. In March 1998 those individuals moved; a ceremony marking closure of the SDC was held on June 17, 1998.

From the New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY. Agency record NYSV1569093-a