Mill Town Messenger | Jan 2014

Overview

The Newport Historical Society newsletter presents a historical account of nursing and healthcare development in Newport, tracing local hospitals, nursing training, and notable practitioners from the 19th to mid-20th century. It highlights founding stories, facility improvements, fundraising efforts, and firsthand recollections that illustrate changing medical practices and community care.

The issue also covers society operations: meeting schedules, membership and fundraising results, museum programs including a Sarah Josepha Hale presentation, seasonal ornament products, and visitor information. Practical items like a membership form and contact details support engagement and ongoing support for the museum.

You can read the online version of the newsletter here.

This quarterly newsletter is generally published in January, April, July and October.

Main Points

• Early Healthcare Practices: In the 19th century, healthcare was community-based, with doctors making house calls and homes serving as hospitals before formal institutions were established.
• Hospital Foundations: Newport’s first hospital, the Carrie F. Wright Hospital, opened in 1909 on Maple Street, funded by William H. Wright’s bequest, and operated until 1952; Newport Hospital on Summer Street then served the community until 1990.
• Nursing School: Carrie F. Wright Hospital included its own training school for nurses, with strict admission requirements, structured pay, and rigorous duties including patient care and facility maintenance.
• Nurse Duties and Expectations: Nurses in the late 1800s performed both medical and non-medical tasks, such as cleaning, maintaining heating and lighting, and adhering to moral codes (e.g., restrictions on smoking, drinking, and social activities).
• Community Support: The hospital was supported by donations of money and labor from individuals and organizations, with specific fundraising efforts like “Tag Day” to purchase equipment and fund improvements.
• Notable Nurses: Key figures included Mrs. Frank Eagan, Mrs. Molly Loverin, Miss B. Spinney, Carrie Brennan (first graduate), and Anna Donovan, who contributed significantly to both hospital and public health nursing in Newport.
• Public Health Nursing: Anna Donovan and Bess Fairbanks Heald were pioneers in public health nursing, providing home health services and being closely involved with the local community for decades.
• Hospital Closure: The Carrie F. Wright Hospital closed in 1952, with its last day coinciding with the opening of Newport Hospital, which continued service until 1990.

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