Bloomingdale Insane Asylum

Bloomingdale Insane Asylum was a private hospital for the care of the mentally ill that was founded by the New York Hospital Society in 1821. The asylum was operational until 1889, when it was moved to White Plains, New York, and eventually became the Westchester Division of the New York Hospital.

History

The Bloomingdale Insane Asylum was established in 1821 in the Bloomingdale area of Manhattan, which is now the site of Columbia University's main campus. The asylum was founded by the New York Hospital Society, a charitable organization dedicated to providing medical care to the poor and mentally ill. The asylum was one of the first private mental health institutions in the United States.

The asylum was initially located in a small building on the corner of Broadway and 116th Street. However, due to the increasing number of patients, the asylum was moved to a larger building on the same site in 1826. The new building was designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis and was considered a model for other mental health institutions of the time.

In 1889, the asylum was moved to White Plains, New York, and was renamed the Westchester Division of the New York Hospital. The original site of the asylum is now the location of Columbia University's main campus.

Treatment and Care

The Bloomingdale Insane Asylum was known for its progressive treatment methods. The asylum adopted the moral treatment approach, which emphasized the importance of a healthy environment and compassionate care in the treatment of mental illness. Patients were encouraged to engage in physical activity and were provided with opportunities for social interaction and leisure activities.

The asylum also had a strong emphasis on occupational therapy. Patients were encouraged to participate in various forms of work, such as gardening, sewing, and carpentry, as a means of therapy. This approach was based on the belief that work could provide a sense of purpose and help patients regain their mental health.

Legacy

The Bloomingdale Insane Asylum played a significant role in the history of mental health care in the United States. The asylum's progressive treatment methods and emphasis on compassionate care were influential in shaping the development of mental health care practices in the country.

The asylum's original site is now the location of Columbia University's main campus, and the asylum's history is commemorated by a plaque on the university's grounds.

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