Craig Colony for Epileptics


Craig Colony for Epileptics was a residential facility for epileptics in Sonyea, Livingston County, New York, US.

History

Situated at a former Shaker colony, the facility was established in 1896 on. Its inspiration was the colony at Bielefeld, Westphalia, Germany. Craig Colony was situated southeast of Buffalo and south of Rochester. The facility was maintained by New York State appropriations. To be admitted to the Colony, the patient had to be a legal resident of New York State, and been declared epileptic by a physician. The Colony School, under the auspices of the Geneseo State Normal School, convened in 1921. The Peterson Hospital was on the premises, as were a farm, garden, and dairy. Before the facility opened, it was known as Sonyea Colony but the name was changed to Craig Colony after Oscar Craig who was serving as president of the State Board of Charities. Its name continued to change over the years: Craig Colony for Epileptics, Craig Colony, Craig Colony and Hospital, Craig Colony School and Hospital, Craig State School, and Craig Developmental Center. Even though there were approximately 2,000 patients at the colony in 1967, it closed its doors the following year.