Long Island State Hospitals - Paperback

by Joseph Galante (Author)

In the fall of 1885, the City of New York transferred 55 men and women living at the Kings County Asylum to the new St. Johnland farm colony "to promote rational outdoor living, exercise, and occupation." In 1887, just a few miles away at Central Islip, another City of New York farm colony was established for the chronically mentally ill. Founded on the principles of moral therapy, the farm colonies provided treatment, recreation, religious services, and hope towards integration back into society for patients. In 1931, Pilgrim State was constructed as a final solution to address the growing needs of Long Island's state hospital system. By 1955, more than 32,000 individuals were receiving board and care at the three facilities. This publication illustrates the legacy of humility, beneficence, and devotion to the mentally ill for over 111 years of the Long Island State Hospitals' joint operations through photographs appearing courtesy of a private collection.

Author Biography

Historian Joseph M. Galante is a former state hospital staffer and current graduate student of mental health studies at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York. Galante is the author of The Hudson River State Hospital as well as a history curator with the Hudson River State Hospital Nurses Alumni Association.