Grounds of the New York State Asylum for the Insane, c. 1876.
Frederick Law Olmsted was responsible for the landscaping of the New York State Asylum for the Insane (now the Buffalo Psychiatric Center) at 400 Forest Avenue, Buffalo. The imposing facility was designed by Henry H. Richardson and constructed between 1871 and 1895. It occupied all the land between Elmwood Avenue and Grant Street from Forest Avenue to the Scajaquada Creek, and included a working farm which provided both employment and sustenance to the patients. The asylum grounds, along with Forest Lawn cemetery to the East, considerably extended the greenspace of The Park (now Delaware Park). The plantations of the main buildings provided them with a quiet setting and buffered them from the bustle of the city. The northern (farm) portion of the site has become the grounds of the campus of Buffalo State College. Other significant portions of Olmsted's plan for the site, as well as major sections of Richardson's buildings, have been destroyed by parking lots and modern construction. The Richardson buildings have been vacant for many years, improperly secured against vandalism and weather. Repeated efforts to have New York State, the owner, maintain and restore the property proved frustrating.
The New York State Asylum for the Insane, circa 1906.
Early in 2003, New York State announced the committment of $7,000,000 to begin that process. As of November 22, 2003, the site has been fenced and secured against water infiltration, including roof and gutter repairs and covering the window openings. Masonry bids are expected to be sought early in 2004. However, given the long history of neglect of these buildings, there is ample reason for the public to remain watchful.
The New York State Asylum for the Insane from Delaware Park, circa 1908.
� 1996-2003 Stanton M. Broderick