Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children
Encyclopedia
The Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children was a psychiatric hospital
for the treatment of what was then known as mental retardation
located in the Loess Hills
adjacent to Glenwood, Iowa
. The facility is now known as the Glenwood Resource Center.
. The state orphanage
at Glenwood closed in early 1876.
In March 1876 the Iowa legislature designated the grounds of the former Glenwood Orphan's Home as the location for the first Iowa Asylum for Feeble-Minded
Children. Canadian immigrant Dr. O.W. Archibald was appointed the first medical superintendent and the facility opened on September 1. Archibald's 1877 Annual Report listed 85 children and already crowded conditions. It then became the Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, and Dr. J.A. Donelan was hired in 1879 as the first "consulting physician."
In 1882 Archibald was replaced as medical superintendent by Dr. Francis Marion Powell. At the time of his appointment the IIFMC consisted of the buildings of the Orphan's Home, a 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) farm, and an additional 20 acres (80,937.2 m²). In 1884 the Old Administration Building was constructed based on several principles of the "building as cure" Kirkbride Plan
. Also, age restrictions were abolished with the creation of a new Custodial Division and by 1886 the institution was home to 259 people. Additional buildings were constructed as the grounds expanded and the resident population grew to 815 people by 1899.
Powell resigned in 1903 and was replaced by his former chief assistant and English immigrant Dr. George Mogridge. The IIFMC would expand to over 1000 acres (4 km²) during Mogride's 31 years as superintendent as it became its own self-contained community isolated from the rest of Glenwood by a wrought iron fence. By 1908 the resident population numbered 1,100 people overseen by a staff of 175.
During the 1930s the IIFMC was described by the WPA
Southwestern Iowa Guide as a "group of modern structures, beautifully landscaped grounds, farm tracts, orchards, and gardens, all tended by those admitted to the institution". The Guide listed a staff of 20 teachers and 1,814 patients, including 623 children.
Mogridge retired in 1935 and was replaced by Dr. Harold Dye the next year. In 1939 Dye would help conduct a landmark psychological experiment using residents of the IIFMC and was also replaced as superintendent at Glenwood by Dr. Thomas Lacey. Dr. Lacey had been serving as the assistant superintendent since 1911, and the facility's name was changed to the Glenwood State-Hospital School. Following Dr. Lacey's death in 1944, Dr. V.J. Meyer was named superintendent. By 1952 the facility covered 1185 acres (4.8 km²), including 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) of gardens, 64 acres (258,999 m²) of orchards, and pasture for the 223 dairy cattle
. The resident population was 1,968 people with 310 employees.
Following Meyer's retirement Alfred Sasser was appointed superintendent. Sasser arrived in 1957 and soon changed the facility forever. In September 1957 the new superintendent hosted "State School Day" and opened the campus to the public during the dedication of the Meyer School Building. Controversy soon developed after it was revealed in the November 17, 1957 Des Moines Register
that resident Mayo Buckner with a 120 I.Q. had spent 59 years confined to the facility. Further attention was placed on Glenwood by an article on the facility in the December 1957 Time magazine
and the March 1958 issue of Life magazine
. The Life article included photographs of the "side room" closets where those who supposedly misbehaved were forced to remain naked while a light-bulb burned 24 hours a day. The aroused business community of Glenwood responded by revealing that Sasser had lied on his application about having attained a doctorate degree
. Sasser resigned in March 1959 and the subject of his tenure at Glenwood was dramatized on television during a December 1959 episode of the Armstrong Circle Theatre
.
Dr. Peter Peffer served as superintendent at the Glenwood State-Hospital School from 1959 until 1961. Dr. J. Cromwell served as acting superintendent until 1964 when Dr. Leonard Lavis was appointed who in turn resigned in 1969 and was replaced by Dr. William Campbell. Under Campbell, traditional ward-style housing was replaced by individual cottages and the Glenwood State-Hospital School lost much of its institutional character. Staffing was also greatly expanded during the 1970s and Local 29991 of AFSCME was organized.
Early this century the facility was renamed the Glenwood Resource Center. The resident population numbered almost 400 people with close to 850 employees.
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
for the treatment of what was then known as mental retardation
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
located in the Loess Hills
Loess Hills
The Loess Hills are a formation of wind-deposited loess soil in the westernmost part of Iowa and Missouri along the Missouri River.-Geology:The Loess Hills are generally located between 1 and east of the Missouri River channel...
adjacent to Glenwood, Iowa
Glenwood, Iowa
Glenwood is a city in and the county seat of Mills County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,269 in the 2010 census, a decline from 5,358 in the 2000 census. -History:...
. The facility is now known as the Glenwood Resource Center.
Origins
The IIFMC originated in 1866 when Glenwood was selected as the location of a new state-funded Civil War Orphan's Home following the donation of 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) by community residents. One of the most notable residents of the Orphan's Home at Glenwood was future baseball player and evangelist Billy SundayBilly Sunday
William Ashley "Billy" Sunday was an American athlete who, after being a popular outfielder in baseball's National League during the 1880s, became the most celebrated and influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th century.Born into poverty in Iowa, Sunday spent some...
. The state orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
at Glenwood closed in early 1876.
In March 1876 the Iowa legislature designated the grounds of the former Glenwood Orphan's Home as the location for the first Iowa Asylum for Feeble-Minded
Feeble-minded
The term feeble-minded was used from the late nineteenth century in Great Britain, Europe and the United States to refer to a specific type of "mental deficiency". At the time, mental deficiency was an umbrella term, which encompassed all degrees of educational and social deficiency...
Children. Canadian immigrant Dr. O.W. Archibald was appointed the first medical superintendent and the facility opened on September 1. Archibald's 1877 Annual Report listed 85 children and already crowded conditions. It then became the Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, and Dr. J.A. Donelan was hired in 1879 as the first "consulting physician."
In 1882 Archibald was replaced as medical superintendent by Dr. Francis Marion Powell. At the time of his appointment the IIFMC consisted of the buildings of the Orphan's Home, a 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) farm, and an additional 20 acres (80,937.2 m²). In 1884 the Old Administration Building was constructed based on several principles of the "building as cure" Kirkbride Plan
Kirkbride Plan
The Kirkbride Plan refers to a system of mental asylum design advocated by Philadelphia psychiatrist Thomas Story Kirkbride in the mid-19th century.-History:The establishment of state mental hospitals in the U.S...
. Also, age restrictions were abolished with the creation of a new Custodial Division and by 1886 the institution was home to 259 people. Additional buildings were constructed as the grounds expanded and the resident population grew to 815 people by 1899.
20th century
In 1902 the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad relocated and double-tracked the rail line through Glenwood, cutting across the grounds of the IIFMC. The next year a tornado struck the facility, killing two children and damaging several buildings.Powell resigned in 1903 and was replaced by his former chief assistant and English immigrant Dr. George Mogridge. The IIFMC would expand to over 1000 acres (4 km²) during Mogride's 31 years as superintendent as it became its own self-contained community isolated from the rest of Glenwood by a wrought iron fence. By 1908 the resident population numbered 1,100 people overseen by a staff of 175.
During the 1930s the IIFMC was described by the WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
Southwestern Iowa Guide as a "group of modern structures, beautifully landscaped grounds, farm tracts, orchards, and gardens, all tended by those admitted to the institution". The Guide listed a staff of 20 teachers and 1,814 patients, including 623 children.
Mogridge retired in 1935 and was replaced by Dr. Harold Dye the next year. In 1939 Dye would help conduct a landmark psychological experiment using residents of the IIFMC and was also replaced as superintendent at Glenwood by Dr. Thomas Lacey. Dr. Lacey had been serving as the assistant superintendent since 1911, and the facility's name was changed to the Glenwood State-Hospital School. Following Dr. Lacey's death in 1944, Dr. V.J. Meyer was named superintendent. By 1952 the facility covered 1185 acres (4.8 km²), including 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) of gardens, 64 acres (258,999 m²) of orchards, and pasture for the 223 dairy cattle
Dairy cattle
Dairy cattle are cattle cows bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the species Bos taurus....
. The resident population was 1,968 people with 310 employees.
Following Meyer's retirement Alfred Sasser was appointed superintendent. Sasser arrived in 1957 and soon changed the facility forever. In September 1957 the new superintendent hosted "State School Day" and opened the campus to the public during the dedication of the Meyer School Building. Controversy soon developed after it was revealed in the November 17, 1957 Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
that resident Mayo Buckner with a 120 I.Q. had spent 59 years confined to the facility. Further attention was placed on Glenwood by an article on the facility in the December 1957 Time magazine
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
and the March 1958 issue of Life magazine
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
. The Life article included photographs of the "side room" closets where those who supposedly misbehaved were forced to remain naked while a light-bulb burned 24 hours a day. The aroused business community of Glenwood responded by revealing that Sasser had lied on his application about having attained a doctorate degree
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
. Sasser resigned in March 1959 and the subject of his tenure at Glenwood was dramatized on television during a December 1959 episode of the Armstrong Circle Theatre
Armstrong Circle Theatre
Armstrong Circle Theatre is an American anthology drama television series which ran from 1950 to 1957 on NBC, and then until 1963 on CBS. It alternated weekly with The U.S. Steel Hour.-Synopsis:...
.
Dr. Peter Peffer served as superintendent at the Glenwood State-Hospital School from 1959 until 1961. Dr. J. Cromwell served as acting superintendent until 1964 when Dr. Leonard Lavis was appointed who in turn resigned in 1969 and was replaced by Dr. William Campbell. Under Campbell, traditional ward-style housing was replaced by individual cottages and the Glenwood State-Hospital School lost much of its institutional character. Staffing was also greatly expanded during the 1970s and Local 29991 of AFSCME was organized.
Early this century the facility was renamed the Glenwood Resource Center. The resident population numbered almost 400 people with close to 850 employees.
External links
- The Great IQ Wars
- Story of Mayo Buckner
- Mayo Buckner's death notice
- Iowa House of Representatives resolution apologizing for sterilization at Glenwood
- 1901 biographical information on Dr. George Mogridge
- 1909 information on the IIFMC and other Iowa institutions
- 1927 overview of Iowa institutions, including the IIFMC
Further resources
- Hawbaker, B. W. (1998). "Conflict and change at the Glenwood State School". Iowa Heritage Illustrated, 79 (2), 62-88.