Library Collections: Document: Full Text

For these and other reasons which might be adduced, the trustees have no doubt that the decision to which they arrived will be esteemed wise and just by your honorable body, as well as highly beneficial to the institution which has been entrusted to their charge.

Having come to the conclusion that the institution should be removed to Syracuse, and after the above named committee had reported on the merits of the various sites offered, having selected that one which seemed, all things considered, the most desirable, provided on still further examination it should prove to be so, a committee was appointed consisting of Dr. Pohlman, the superintendent and the architect, to visit Syracuse, re-examine the said site, and if satisfied with it, locate the building upon it, and notify the parties making the overtures of their acceptance by the Board of Trustees.

This committee re-examined the grounds offered, and coincided with the board in favor of a lot composing part of the farm owned by General Leavenworth, about a mile from the centre of the city in a southwesterly direction; because the price per acre was less than for any other land offered; because it had valuable improvements upon it in the form of a great number and variety of fruit trees; because it contained a fine grove highly desirable for the comfort and health of the pupils in the summer season; because it was nearer to the centre of the city than the only other location which seemed particularly desirable; because of its sheltered position, and its warm southern exposure, especially to be considered in locating a dwelling for children of feeble physical organization; besides it was convenient to the city, conspicuous from all the thoroughfares passing through it, and the view from the grounds was commanding in all directions, while the inmates of the asylum could be effectually secured from public observation.

The committee, however, felt that from the peculiar conformation of the ground, and the convenience of having ample space around the buildings, it was very desirable to have a larger quantity of land than was originally offered by the citizens of Syracuse, and therefore purchased eight additional acres, which involved an expense of $2,800 over and above the $7,500 contributed by them for this purpose.

As an act of justice to Mr. Leavenworth, his associates beg leave to remark that in the selection of this particular site he took no part-but was rather averse to the selection, as it involved the necessity of dividing, and in in -sic- some measure of disfiguring his beautiful farm.

For a more particular description of the grounds, the Legislature are referred to the pamphlet containing an account of the laying of the corner-stone of the Asylum in September last.

The report of this committee having received the approval of the board, the Executive committee, consisting of Messrs, Spencer, Titus and Leavenworth, were directed to proceed to the erection of the building, as near as might be according to the plans and specifications which were drawn last year. But the change of location involved expenditures not contemplated in the original plan. On a more careful inquiry into the subject of warming the building, it was ascertained that six furnaces would be required instead of three; and it was evident that if they were all placed in the basement there would not be sufficient room for other indispensable purposes. It was therefore determined to construct a sub-cellar beneath the basement. A change, demanded by correct rules of architecture and good taste, has also been made in the exterior of the edifice. Quoin blocks have been introduced in the front and side angles of the building, at the moderate cost of about a thousand dollars, and add greatly to its apparent solidity and strength, as well as to its architectural beauty. Additional expense has also been incurred in constructing a hydraulic ram, boring for water, digging wells and making roads.

In all other respects the building has thus far been constructed according to the original plans and specifications, with such slight and unimportant variations as usually occur.

The corner-stone was laid, with appropriate solemnities, on the 8th of September last, and the walls are now completed, the building enclosed, and the whole work rapidly approaching its completion.

The following is a statement of the contracts already entered into, and also an estimate of the expense of completing the said building: