Buffalo Remembrance Project Offers Insight into Asylum’s Legacy

The Buffalo Remembrance Project, led by artist Kimberly Chapman, aims to shed light on the historical realities of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. The exhibition will open on January 29, 2024, at the Richardson Olmsted Campus, a site with deep ties to mental health care in the region.

Chapman’s work involves interviewing relatives of former patients, including Mark Saglian, who shared insights about his ancestor, Sarah Ann McMullen. McMullen was institutionalized at the asylum after a tragic incident in which she attempted to harm two children. This personal connection reveals the complex narratives surrounding mental health treatment in the past.

The Buffalo State Asylum, originally designed by H.H. Richardson, has a storied history. The institution housed numerous individuals, including Susan Mann Dolce’s grandmother and Saglian’s great-aunt, both of whom experienced the asylum’s environment during their lifetimes. The Remembrance Project seeks to honor their stories, bringing to light the often-overlooked human aspect of institutional life.

The collaborative effort between the University at Buffalo Art Galleries and the Lipsey Architecture Center Buffalo highlights the importance of understanding the legacy of such institutions. Through art and personal narratives, the project aims to foster a greater awareness of the historical context surrounding mental health treatment.

As part of the exhibition, visitors will encounter portraits and personal artifacts that evoke the memories of those who spent time at the asylum. Notably, Anne Marie Stuchell will be featured holding a baby book created by her mother, Elizabeth Kramer, who was a long-term patient at the asylum before transitioning to private care.

The Buffalo Remembrance Project not only serves as an artistic endeavor but also as a crucial step towards acknowledging the often painful histories associated with mental health institutions. By engaging with the stories of individuals like McMullen and Kramer, the project encourages a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in the mental health system, both in the past and present.

The exhibition at the Richardson Olmsted Campus is poised to draw attention to this critical aspect of Buffalo’s history. As the opening date approaches, it invites the community to reflect on the lives of those who were affected by the asylum’s legacy and to consider the ongoing dialogue around mental health today.