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St. Lawrence State Hospital, Ogdensburg, New York

On April 29, 1886, the New York legislature passed a bill introduced by General Newton Martin Curtis, assemblyman, authorizing the appointment of five commissioners to locate a mental hospital in northern New York. The act to  establish the hospital was passed by the legislature on May 18, 1887.

A 950 acre tract of farm land called Point Airy was purchased.

The St. Lawrence State Hospital received its first patients December 9, 1890 and opened its school of nursing the next day. The hospital’s buildings and grounds, originally in the town of Lisbon, New York were annexed to the city of Ogdensburg New York in 1901.

The hospital was internationally noted for its open door policy in care of the mentally ill.

Dr. Herman Bernard Snow  (born March 06, 1909 to Died April 12, 1087)   Education Syracuse Univ BA 1929  1933 Dr. of Medicine) served as Director of the hospital  from 1954 until 1962. 1.

Dr. Snow was a psychiatrist who advocated for the mentally ill to be treated in community settings, as opposed to monolithic institutions  Snow, was known to refer to his patients as VIPs — very important people.2

citations

1.Prabook      prabook.com

2.  Are there historic treasures buried at psych center site? John Ferro Poughkeepsie Journalpublished 11:59 am ET Sept 7 2015 printer following