Newspaper clippings, 1879-1969

The collection contains the records of the Nursery and Child’s Hospital, including Board of Directors meeting minutes, patient rosters, and financial documents. The records show the evolution of the hospital’s function and treatment styles over the years. The Committee of Management and Board of Directors documents discuss at length not only the practical matters of the running of the institution but the philosophy of working with the patients and wards in its care. The studies and reports done both by staff and external agencies held in the collection also show the shift in mission and practices of the Nursery and Child’s Hospital from a hospital to a treatment center for emotionally disturbed and/or developmentally disabled children.

Of particular interest are the patient/ward rosters which provide in-depth information about each child in the institution’s care, including reasons for admission, health issues, and disposition after leaving. Several studies were also conducted on these children, the results of which are included in the collection, and provide insight into their experiences at the institution. The rosters also provide a wealth of genealogical information. Adoptive parents, circumstances of their placement at the center, and health data are included in the registers.