Queen's Hospital entrance, Portland, ca. 1930

Contributed by Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Description

In the autumn of 1918, the greatest health crisis in the city’s history struck Portland. Known at the time as the Spanish Influenza, the pandemic of 1918-1919 claimed millions of lives worldwide. The ensuing health emergency quickly overwhelmed the city’s limited hospital capacity. Right Reverend Bishop Louis Sebastian Walsh asked the Sisters of Mercy for volunteers to visit the homes of the sick. The entire order of 60 women volunteered.

The demand for a hospital was so great that Bishop Walsh decided to establish a new one. Following in the footsteps of Mother McAuley, Miss Marion Weeks, the daughter of a distinguished surgeon in town, donated a portion of her property on the intersection of Congress and State Street (681 Congress) for the venture.

On December 12, 1918, the anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Mercy, the new Queen’s Hospital (named in honor of Mary, Mother of God) opened its doors, initially equipped to care for 25 patients.

View/Add Comments


About This Item

  • Title: Queen's Hospital entrance, Portland, ca. 1930
  • Creator: Mercy Hospital
  • Creation Date: circa 1930
  • Subject Date: circa 1930
  • Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
  • Media: Black and White 35mm Slide
  • Dimensions: 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm
  • Collection: Mercy Hospital Historic Archive
  • Object Type: Image

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

Other Keywords


For more information about this item, contact:

Northern Light Mercy Hospital
175 Fore River Parkway, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 879-3000
Website

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.

How to cite content on this site


More to Consider


Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.