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Institutional Care: From 'Feeble-Minded' to 'Disabled'

Cumberland Hall, Pownal State School, ca. 1937

Cumberland Hall, Pownal State School, ca. 1937

Item 25633 info
New Gloucester Historical Society

Separating those with development problems into institutions was believed to be an economically sound approach -- as well as to provide a quiet, calm setting for the residents to complete their studies.

The Maine School for the Feeble-Minded apparently followed this trend. The enabling legislation passed in 1907 specified that the residents of the new facility would be between ages 3 and 21.