Rome Developmental Center

Originally founded on the former Oneida County Asylumhouse, the Rome Temporary State Hospital was organized in 1894. The name changed in October 1894 (Chapter 383) to the Rome State Custodial Asylum for Unteachable Idiots where patients from state hospitals were transferred and taxes went to care for the insane. In 1896 (Chapter 546), the name was changed to the Rome State Custodial Asylum and established as a separate entity. Within this law, the governor appointed a Board of Managers to write rules, regulations, by-laws and select a superintendent which had to be approved by the State Board of Charities (which later became the Department of Social Services). Dr. John Fitzgerald was appointed Medical Superintendent to manage day-to-day operations until 1902. Under his management, patients were institutionalized and the ratios of staff to patients was 1:10. The staff worked daily from 5am to 10pm living with the residents. Dr. Charles Bernstein took over as director in 1902 and served until 1942. Under Dr. Bernstein, the Rome State Custodial Asylum developed "colonies" for patients to work and reside. By 1918, the name changed to the Rome State School, a suggestion by Dr. Bernstein because the facility had changed for the mentally ill. Dr. Bernstein introduced a maternity and nursery colony allowing children into the School for the first time. In 1918 (Chapter 197), the State Commisson of the Feeble-Minded was created and supervised all state matters in mental deficiencies. However, most State Hospitals (including Rome) already established types of care available and their administration. The Commission limited institutions to 3,500 patient capacity. In 1919 (Chapter 633), the Commission was renamed the State Commission for Mental Defectives. In 1926 (Chapter 584), the Department of Mental Hygiene was established and replaced the State Commission for Mental Defectives. In 1942, Dr. James Kelleher was appointed Director of the Rome State School serving until 1956. The Department of Mental Hygiene had more control over the institution and the School dealt with overcrowding by the conclusion of his tenure. In 1956, Dr. Charles Greenberg was appointed Director until 1972 and admitted more patients with severe mental disabilities and added more "colonies" to the school. Cornelius Walsh was appointed Director in 1974 following a series of interim and acting directors and served until 1979 changing the name to the Rome Developmental Center. In 1977 (Chapter 978), the Department of Mental Hygiene was divided into three agencies placing the Rome Developmental Center under the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The final director of the Rome Developmental Center was Philip Catchpole serving from 1986 to 1989 at which time a five-year reconfiguration plan for the Rome Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) was in motion. The Rome DDSO is still functional as the Central New York DDSO under the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.