Childbirth In 19th Century America: The Role Of Charity Hospital - Free Lecture At The NYC Public Library Roosevelt Island Branch Tuesday April 12 - Sponsored By Roosevelt Island Historical Society & Amalgamated Bank

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) and Amalgamated Bank invite you to their fourth in a series of free lectures at the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Branch (524 Main Street). According to RIHS:

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society and Amalgamated Bank Present a Free Lecture

Childbirth in 19th Century America: The Role of Charity Hospital

by Professor Jane Brickman, U. S. Merchant Marine Academy
New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island
Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.

For centuries, childbirth was a dangerous experience, for both women and their babies. In the 19th century, midwives, nurses and doctors at Charity Hospital, which operated on Roosevelt Island until 1957, were recognized as leaders/pioneers in making childbirth a safe experience. Jane Brickman, Professor of History at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, will describe some of their practices in a lecture at the New York Public Library at 524 Main Street, Roosevelt Island. The lecture is sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and supported by Amalgamated Bank.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. Take the red bus (no charge) or walk eight minutes north to 524 Main Street.

Upcoming RIHS Events

Contact rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com or 212-688-4836 for information on these exciting tours:

4/23 - 8th Annual Cherry Blossom Walk
5/14 - Subway Art Tour

Elder Web has more info about Charity Hospital:

1890: Life for Nurses and Patients in Charity Hospital, NY

Summary: Some excerpts from an article in Scribner Magazine that focus on life in Charity Hospital, the poorhouse hospital on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island), New York City.

Source: The Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals

The Training Of A Nurse
Scribner's magazine (Volume 8, Issue 5, November, 1890)

Following are some excerpts that focus on life in Charity Hospital, the poorhouse hospital located on Blackwell's Island, New York City (renamed Roosevelt Island in 1973).
Charity Hospital Patients

The patients in Charity Hospital are the very poor of the city; some of them are only morally sick and needing a home; they puzzle the doctors to make a diagnosis. Most of their sickness, as we nurses know, has been brought on by over-work, poverty, drunkenness, laziness, and the like, but some are worthy and deserving persons....

Click here to read more of the Scribner Magazine article about life at Roosevelt (Blackwell's) Island Charity Hospital in the 1890's excepted by Elder Web.

The NY Times has more on Charity Hospital.