Research

• Full Finding Aid
• Overview
• Arrangement
• Scope and Contents
• Related Material
• Other Finding Aids
• Alternate Formats
• Access Restrictions
• Custodial History
• Access Terms
• Detailed Description
• Items Online

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New York State Lunatic Asylum "The Opal" Patient Newsletter

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Arrangement

Chronological.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of bound copies of "The Opal," a monthly literary newsletter edited by the patients at the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica. The newsletter contains poems, essays, news articles, correspondence, and editorials on national and local events and subjects. Subjects and themes are mostly social, literary, religious, and political. Some topics are covered in a humorous or satirical manner. Some material includes information on currently held theories and attitudes concerning mental illness.

Volume One contains a few pieces of original art work.

Alternate Formats Available

Samples of artwork from the newsletter have been digitized and are available in State Archives Digital Collections.

New York State Archives Digital Collections

"The Opal" patient newsletter, 1851-1860

Related Material

B1540 Issues of "Marcy News," Marcy Psychiatric Center newsletter, 1968-1976

B1922 Middletown Psychiatric Center Newsletters, 1935-2002

B1585 Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Newsletters, 1957-1994

B1453 Willard State Hospital Newsletter, 1957-1980

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Alphabetical title index at fore of each volume.

Custodial History

These records were transferred to the State Archives on September 16, 1996 from Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center under RDA 19266.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Access Terms

Detailed Description