Originally recognized over a century ago as a school for the 'feeble-minded,' the Ladd School functioned as both a psychiatric institution and a reformatory. It has historically served youth and adults with developmental disabilities, focusing on isolation rather than the support typically expected today.
We are a private organization committed to researching and documenting the complex history of the Dr. Joseph H. Ladd Center. Our aim is to share this knowledge to enlighten and engage new generations, helping to build a more informed and compassionate society.
Found, gathered, and carefully cataloged over a period of twenty years, this is the largest collection of Ladd School history and artifacts in the world.
This collection of nearly 1,000 photographs provides a broad, candid, and intimate look at life behind and beyond the walls of the Ladd School.
This 1943 book by Dr. Henry Jones is a rare find, with its dustjacket, burgundy cloth cover, and delicate foil stamping intact.
Unveiling the haunting audiotapestry of Buffalo State Asylum, this three-record set from 1962 offers a raw glimpse into the depths of mental illness.
