City Hospital (Roosevelt Island) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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City Hospital
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(1989)
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, New York City |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architect | James Renwick, Jr. |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000868 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
City Hospital was an old hospital on Roosevelt Island in New York City. It was also known as Island Hospital or Charity Hospital.
Contents
A Hospital's Long History
The first hospital building was put up in 1832. It was on what was then called Blackwell's Island. This first hospital was built to help people who were in the nearby prison.
Building a New Hospital
A fire destroyed the first hospital in 1858. A famous architect named James Renwick, Jr. designed a new building. This new hospital was finished in 1861. It was called City Hospital. The hospital helped both people from the prison and poorer people in New York City.
In 1870, the hospital's name changed to Charity Hospital. A new medical leader was hired to make sure patients received good care.
Training Nurses
Charity Hospital started a nursing school in 1877. It was one of the first nursing schools in the United States. Nurses learned how to care for patients for two to three years. They also learned how to keep the hospital very clean.
Nurses at Charity Hospital did many important jobs. They helped patients and assisted surgeons. They also cared for newborn babies. Sometimes, they even took cooking classes! In 1916, a doctor named Orrin Sage Wightman took photos of the student nurses. These photos are now kept at the New-York Historical Society.
In 1921, the city changed the island's name. It became Welfare Island. This new name showed that the island was a place for public welfare and care.
Why the Hospital Closed
The prison on the island closed in 1935. Later, in 1957, Charity Hospital also closed. Its services moved to Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens.
What Happened to the Building?
The old hospital building was very special. It was built in a style called Second Empire. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list keeps track of important historical places.
The next year, in 1973, Welfare Island got a new name again. It was renamed Roosevelt Island. This was to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
By 1986, the hospital building was in bad shape. People thought about tearing it down. The old City Hospital was finally taken down in 1994. Some of its stones were saved. These stones were used to make paths in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. This park is at the southern end of Roosevelt Island.
Images for kids
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(1989)
See also
In Spanish: City Hospital (Isla Roosevelt) para niños
