Records related to Philadelphia General Hospital
Collection
Identifier: MSS 471
Scope and Contents
This small collection includes correspondence; historical narratives regarding the founding of Philadelphia General Hospital, as well as other historic material including documents placed in the cornerstone of the medical examiner’s building; material related to the history of medicine in Philadelphia; and a small amount of material related to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Also included are slides, scripts, and fact sheets for the PGH Bicentennial exhibit; photographic material; and printed material.
Dates
- 1914-1915
- 1959-1989
- 2013
- Majority of material found within 1972-1977
Creator
Biographical / Historical
Until its closing, Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) was the oldest institution in the United States in continuous service providing hospitalized care. Established in 1731, the Hospital had a long history dedicated to the care of the medically indigent of the city. In 1832, the institution moved from Center City to Blockley Township in West Philadelphia to the area that is now between 34th Street and University Avenue. At that time, it was renamed the Philadelphia Almshouse and Hospital and became affectionately known as “Old Blockley.”
The hospital was renamed Philadelphia General Hospital in 1902. In 1919, the Hospital was separated from the Almshouse and its supervision, as well as that of the Philadelphia Hospital for Mental Diseases (“Byberry”) and the Municipal Hospital for Contagious Diseases, were placed within the newly created Bureau of Hospitals in the Department of Public Health. Under contracts signed in 1959, medical care at Philadelphia General Hospital became the responsibility of the medical schools of Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania who then subcontracted some of their work to Jefferson Medical College, Woman’s Medical College, and Hahnemann Medical School.
PGH was often depicted as a place where substandard care prevailed. Despite this, for those who depended on the institution, PGH remained a critical safety net providing essential services to those denied health care in voluntary institutions due to their poverty or race.
By the early 1970s, Philadelphia General Hospital no longer met modern standards for a hospital. The buildings required extensive renovation in order to meet the requirements of new fire and other life safety codes. Additionally, patient populations were declining thanks to an increase in public support through Medicare and Medicaid, which allowed elderly and poor patients to seek care at private hospitals. Despite public disaproval, the city made the decision to close Philadelphia General Hospital in 1977.
The hospital was renamed Philadelphia General Hospital in 1902. In 1919, the Hospital was separated from the Almshouse and its supervision, as well as that of the Philadelphia Hospital for Mental Diseases (“Byberry”) and the Municipal Hospital for Contagious Diseases, were placed within the newly created Bureau of Hospitals in the Department of Public Health. Under contracts signed in 1959, medical care at Philadelphia General Hospital became the responsibility of the medical schools of Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania who then subcontracted some of their work to Jefferson Medical College, Woman’s Medical College, and Hahnemann Medical School.
PGH was often depicted as a place where substandard care prevailed. Despite this, for those who depended on the institution, PGH remained a critical safety net providing essential services to those denied health care in voluntary institutions due to their poverty or race.
By the early 1970s, Philadelphia General Hospital no longer met modern standards for a hospital. The buildings required extensive renovation in order to meet the requirements of new fire and other life safety codes. Additionally, patient populations were declining thanks to an increase in public support through Medicare and Medicaid, which allowed elderly and poor patients to seek care at private hospitals. Despite public disaproval, the city made the decision to close Philadelphia General Hospital in 1977.
Extent
0.21 Linear feet (1 half document box, 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Library by Dr. Lucy Balian Rorke-Adams. Dr. Rorke-Adams was Chairman of the Pathology Department and Medical Director of PGH when it closed in 1977.
Creator
- Title
- Records related to Philadelphia General Hospital
- Author
- Rayna Andrews
- Date
- 2026 January 2
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
