Social Welfare History Project Civil War, Reconstruction, and Progressivism Page 9

New York State Care System For The Insane Completed: 1896

“The Governor has approved the bill creating the Manhattan State Hospital and providing for the transfer of the lunatic asylums of this city and the care of their inmates to the State”

Willard Asylum for the Insane: Steward’s Report 1900

Steward’s Report by Captain Morris J. Gilbert, 1900. According to Dr. Robert E. Doran, Jr., author of “History Of The Willard Asylum For The Insane And The Willard State Hospital,” “…he was totally responsible for all purchasing as well as overseeing the farm and maintenance work.”

Rose Schneiderman: N.Y. Senators vs. Working Women

Rose Schneiderman, an organizer for the New York Women’s Trade Union League, worked to bring together middle and working-class women in support of women’s right to vote. She makes a good case here against male politicians’ opposition to woman suffrage and she supports working women’s efforts to reduce the hours of labor and secure protective legislation.

Schuyler, Louisa Lee

To say that Louisa Lee Schuyler was a humanitarian and a pioneer in social work would be an understatement. Miss Schuyler was the driving force in the movement to reform the poor house system in New York State.

International Ladies Garment Workers Union

At the height of its power during the 1930s and 1940s, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) was one of the most important and progressive unions in the United States

Duty Of The States Toward Their Insane Poor: 1874

Presentation by Dr. J. B. Chapin of the Willard Asylum for the insane on “The Duty of the States toward their Insane Poor.”

U.S. Sanitary Commission: 1861

The object of the Sanitary Commission was to do what the Government could not. The Government undertook, of course, to provide all that was necessary for the soldier, . . . but, from the very nature of things, this was not possible. . . . The methods of the commission were so elastic, and so arranged to meet every emergency, that it was able to make provision for any need, seeking always to supplement, and never to supplant, the Government.

Colony For Epileptics (1914)

“From the inception of public care of the insane in New York State epileptics were undoubtedly provided for from time to time, but no special provision was existent beyond a separate ward in the various hospitals. In 1873 Dr. Ordroneaux mentioned special provision for the epileptic on Blackwell’s Island.” This entry was copied with permission and derived from the blog researched and developed by Linda S. Stuhler.

Syracuse State Institution For Feeble-Minded Children: (1916)

“The State of New York thus became the first one in the United States to make separate and special provision for the feeble-minded. Two years later the Legislature provided funds for the erection of permanent buildings on a site in Syracuse donated by philanthropic citizens.”