The Providence Retreat was founded in 1860 by the Daughters of Charity as a facility for the care of the mentally ill. Was also known variously as the Buffalo Lunatic Asylum, the Providence Lunatic Asylum and the Providence Insane Asylum.

The facility closed in 1940, with this building becoming the St. Louise de Marillac Maternity Hospital, with the entire complex eventually evolving into today's Sister's Hospital.