Richardson Olmsted Campus
Richardson Olmsted Campus
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
About
One of Buffalo’s most iconic buildings and a National Historic Landmark, the 145-year-old Richardson Olmsted Campus is being renewed after years of neglect. Designed by great American architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the famed landscape team of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the building incorporated a system of enlightened treatment for people with mental illness developed by Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride. Today, the Richardson Olmsted Campus is home to one of the largest historic preservation projects in the nation. Since 2006, the nonprofit Richardson has been hard at work bringing the site back to life after decades of neglect.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
22
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Neil B
Auckland, New Zealand1,483 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We didn’t do a tour, just wandered around the outside of the buildings. Having read something of the history of the complex, it was fascinating to walk around these abandoned (except for the hotel part) Romanesque 19th century (and some more recent) buildings. Many of the buildings have creepers growing all over them, giving the place a real horror movie feel!
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauran s
West Seneca, NY149 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
If you're from Buffalo, you have most likely driven by this amazing building and grounds of the former Buffalo State Hospital designed by the famous achitect, H H Richardson. Located in the museum district, the Twin Towers stand out impressively against the sky. The Red stone-moved all the way from Medina in the mid 1800s makes an impressive statement of days gone by. The grounds were designed by Olmstead and there is the most impressive oak tree-maybe the most beautiful in the city - as you approach this grand building. When actively housing the Buffalo State Hospital it extended from Elmwood to Reese Street-and, in it's early days was the longest building in the world!
As a student I worked on the wards where you went from ward to ward through each ward's massive doors. The ceiling were so high as were the windows which brought beautiful daylight to the souls trying to regain their mental health. The main foyer has ceiling beams beautifully carved. The floors were mosaic and the stairway was truly grand! What a place! The tower rooms were massive-the heigh of them minimizes the vastnessness in each tower. The trees on the grounds are so beautiful-spring is breath-taking!
My hope is that progress continues-and that it becomes recognized as the true beauty it really is. Buffalo is blessed to have so many amazing buildings...
As a student I worked on the wards where you went from ward to ward through each ward's massive doors. The ceiling were so high as were the windows which brought beautiful daylight to the souls trying to regain their mental health. The main foyer has ceiling beams beautifully carved. The floors were mosaic and the stairway was truly grand! What a place! The tower rooms were massive-the heigh of them minimizes the vastnessness in each tower. The trees on the grounds are so beautiful-spring is breath-taking!
My hope is that progress continues-and that it becomes recognized as the true beauty it really is. Buffalo is blessed to have so many amazing buildings...
Written August 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
benfitt
Buffalo, NY9 contributions
May 2016 • Family
This complex of buildings functioned as the Buffalo State Mental Hospital from about 1870 to 1974. It was designed by several different architects, including Henry Richardson. It is situated in the City of Buffalo, NY, on park-like grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The main building was designated a National Historic Landmary in 1986.
Son and I took the photography tour on 5/15/16. Only 1 other person was in our group, plus the docent, so we were able to select locations to visit and at an agreeable pace. Our docent's day job is with an architectural firm; she was highly knowledgeable about the structures in the complex and the process of their renovation. We toured renovated, in process and untouched areas of the complex, ranging from basements to the highest currently accessible floors (4th). Most interesting to us were the basement areas (because there were numerous things and spaces to photograph) and the untouched wards (plaster fallen from ceiling, paint flaking off walls, debris covering most of the floor). If you like taking pictures of dilapidated buildings, this tour is for you. If you like photographing unusual spaces (Victorian era mental hospital) this tour is also for you. This tour is probably not for you if you don't like dirty, messy places or having to take the stairs everywhere (no functioning elevators). Our experience was great. Son took 475 images. The photo tour cost $50 each; we consider it to have been worth every penny.
Son and I took the photography tour on 5/15/16. Only 1 other person was in our group, plus the docent, so we were able to select locations to visit and at an agreeable pace. Our docent's day job is with an architectural firm; she was highly knowledgeable about the structures in the complex and the process of their renovation. We toured renovated, in process and untouched areas of the complex, ranging from basements to the highest currently accessible floors (4th). Most interesting to us were the basement areas (because there were numerous things and spaces to photograph) and the untouched wards (plaster fallen from ceiling, paint flaking off walls, debris covering most of the floor). If you like taking pictures of dilapidated buildings, this tour is for you. If you like photographing unusual spaces (Victorian era mental hospital) this tour is also for you. This tour is probably not for you if you don't like dirty, messy places or having to take the stairs everywhere (no functioning elevators). Our experience was great. Son took 475 images. The photo tour cost $50 each; we consider it to have been worth every penny.
Written May 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting the Richardson Olmsted Complex and reviewing your visit! We're so glad you enjoyed your Photography Tour -- we love sharing unusual spaces in the Complex with photographers each year. I'll pass your compliments along to your docent and we look forward to welcoming you on-site again soon!
Written May 24, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patricia B
Tonawanda, NY60 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
My friend and I opted for the 2 hour in-depth tour and it was really worth it. We were able to go up into the attic and down into the basement. I would not recommend this tour for young children. The tour guides were very knowledgeable. The buildings are 99% not completely renovated. They have a long, long way to go. The 1% that was renovated was awesome with the detailed wood work, the 16 foot ceilings and the refinished hardwood floors. There are 6 flights of stairs that were taken in small sections. You need to wear closed shoes and hard hats that are supplied to you. Also, bring a small flashlight. Can't wait to see the hotel when it is finished.
Written June 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Munjo
Fredonia, NY2,633 contributions
Jun 2013
A fascinating place with very interesting architecture. Well worth a visit. Historically significant. One of those places you can easily overlooked. Sadly, now all the lunatics are in government downstate or in Albany.
Written January 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig W
Iowa City, IA12 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
this building is amazing. There's still a lot of work to be done; the Hotel Henry is a great start and the Architecture Center coming next year will be a great addition. Go see it now before it gets too developed; part of the appeal is that it still seems a little bit like it's stuck in the 1890's.
Written October 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and reviewing, Craig! We're so glad you enjoyed your time on-site -- we're also very excited about future redevelopment on-site (10 buildings to go!) and how we can still offer many undeveloped spaces to visitors on our public tours. We hope to see you back next year when the architecture center opens!
Written November 2, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jilllaura3
East Amherst, NY17 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Very informative and interesting tour. Beautiful architecture and grounds with explanations such as why the bldg is at a slight angle and the "staircase that goes nowhere" Love that they let u go through the actual construction sites as well as seeing the old untouched parts and the renovation! And, to go up into the towers-wow! I love that we get to keep this amazing piece of beautiful history. I will definitely be back to see the progress! Oh, and thank you to our amazing VOLUNTEER tour guides, John and Katlyn!!
Written October 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for visiting and reviewing your experience of the Richardson Olmsted Complex. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your time on-site -- and learned a lot about the building's history! -- and I'll be sure to pass your kind words along to John and Katelyn! Thank you so much for joining us on-site!
Written October 3, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dabaker10
Philadelphia, PA40 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
I wasn't fortunate enough to experience the formal tour but did take some time before my flight to spend about 30 minutes walking the grounds. What a beautiful space. Quite impressive.
Written September 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brady B
16 contributions
Jun 2018
The Olmsted campus now home to the Henry hotel. Reasonable cost. great accommodations. The fact that it used to be an insane asylum should not deter one from staying. Just adds to the mystic. Going back this summer when the Buffalo Philharmonic plays during a light show .
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and reviewing your time at the Richardson Olmsted Campus and Hotel Henry! We look forward to welcoming you back on-campus sometime soon.
Written May 20, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol R
Toronto, Canada51 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
My husband and I have been watching the Richardson Olmsted Campus spring back to glory. The job has been a delightful success. Located in a beautiful part of Buffalo, this complex is sitting on 93 acres of relaxing park, designed by Olmsted, it offers first rate hotel accommodations. Attentive staff are eager to assure your stay meets your every need. Rooms are spotlessly clean. Very comfortable beds. Step back in time, and visit this historic complex.
Written October 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichardsonCtr
Buffalo, New York
You can take our audio tour by dialing (716) 249-3874 from any phone!
Written August 22, 2018
Quisiera saber si hay q comprar con tiempo la entrada al Richardson Olmsted Campus ?. Voy a mediados de Julio.o se consigue fácil la entrada.
Written May 24, 2017
RichardsonCtr
Buffalo, New York
¡Hola! He utilizado Google translate para esto, así que me disculpo si es español pobre.
Usted puede comprar boletos para hacer un recorrido por el sitio en nuestro sitio web. Usted debe comprar sus boletos con suficiente antelación como los boletos de la gira se agotan rápidamente.
Si no quieres tomar un tour, también puedes visitar el sitio en cualquier momento gratis.
Por favor envíeme un correo electrónico a si tiene alguna otra pregunta.
¡Gracias!
Corey Fabian Borenstein
Visitor Services Manager
Written May 24, 2017
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