The New York State Inebriate Asylum was founded by Joseph Edward Turner in 1854, and was the first facility in America intended for the medical treatment of alcoholism. Designed by architect Isaac Gale Perry, construction began in 1858. In 1879 the building was converted to an Asylum for the Chronic Insane. Later known as Binghamton State Hospital, then Binghamton Psychiatric Center, it operated as a state mental health institution until deterioration of the building facade forced its closure in 1993. Abandoned since that time, the building is registered as a National Historic Landmark and is listed as one of New York State's Most Endangered Buildings.