Fourth annual report of the trustees of the New-York State Asylum for Idiots.

  • New York State Asylum for Idiots.
Date:
[1855?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fourth annual report of the trustees of the New-York State Asylum for Idiots. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    site, and if satisfied with it, locate the building upon it, and no¬ tify the parties making the overtures of their acceptance by the Board of Trustees. This committee re-examined the grounds offered, and coincided with the board in favor of a lot composing part of the farm own¬ ed by General Leavenworth, about a mile from the centre of the city in a south westerly direction; because the price per acre wras less than for any other land offered ; because it had valuable im¬ provements upon it in the form of a great number and variety of fruit trees; because it contained a fine grove highly desirable for the comfort and health of the pupils in the summer season ; be¬ cause it was nearer to the centre of the city than the only other location which seemed particularly desirable; because of its sheltered position, and its wrarm southern exposure, especially to be considered in locating a dwelling for children of feeble physi¬ cal organization; besides it was convenient to the city, conspicu¬ ous from all the thoroughfares passing through it, and the view from the grounds was commanding in all directions, while the inmates of the asylum could be effectually secured from public observation. The committee, however, felt that from the peculiar conforma¬ tion of the ground, and the convenience of having ample space around the buildings, it was very desirable to have a larger quan¬ tity of land than was originally offered by the citizens of Syra¬ cuse, and therefore purchased eight additional acres, which involved an expense of $2,800 over and above the $7,500 con¬ tributed by them tor this purpose. As an act of justice to Mr. Leavenworth, his associates beg leave to remark that in the selection of this particular site he took no part—but was rather averse to the selection, as it in¬ volved the necessity of dividing, and in some measure of dis¬ figuring his beautiful farm. Tor a more particular description of the grounds, the Legisla¬ ture are referred to the pamphlet containing an account of the laying of the corner-stone of the Asylum in September last.