Lost Buildings of Hartford Hospital (Hartford, Connecticut)

This video is about the buildings that Hartford Hospital erected at its main campus between 1857 and 1972. Many of these are now lost, including many of the hospital's brownstone buildings erected in the early nineteenth century and early twentieth century.
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[@gregdolecki8530]

They used to build buildings that were so ornate and so nice to look at. Now you get a box with windows.

[@flight4951]

Another great video. Hartford hospital look so different then it does today

[@goldtentee]

Worked at Hartford Hospital on and off from 1969-1976 as a Male Aid. Brings back memories. What a complex. Tunnels in the basement that connected the Brownstone and the Nursing School. One of my duties in the evening was to toss laundry bags down chutes starting at the 12th floor to the 5th.

[@bigdaddysantos]

Thank you! My mother, sister, and niece have collectively put in over 100 years (and counting) working at Hartford Hospital, since 1962, so this was very interesting. Little did I know of the Hudson St extension that was eliminated in the 40s, but as a rug rat child I often explored the buildings freely, especially in the maze of subterranean corridors and tunnels with its many hints of construction and add-ons. The South Green area is rife with old building stories, which I am sure you'll continue to cover. Of particular interest to me is Church Home (1898, Keller designed), part of the "Hartford Hospital triangle" yet clearly built around and untouched (much like the chicken man's store was, downtown). With it's southern plantation like portico, and its clear impact on hospital growth plans, the story about that complex, and how it avoided the expansion plans, must be intriguing....

[@historywithdansterner263]

I agree that that would be a good topic to cover!

[@tjroicub6079]

Thanks for another trip down Memory Lane. I was born in Hartford Hospital in 1950, had my tonsils out there in 1955 when I was in the first grade. Last experience was spinal surgery with Dr. Roger Beck in 1970.

[@DannyPimienta]

Another good one…grew up two blocks away from Hartford Hospital.

[@sedumplant]

I was born in 1938, and I think I must have been born at Hartford Hospital (I should check my birth certificate), rather than St Francis Hospital near Albany Avenue. Can you tell us when St Francis Hospital was built and a little about it? Also, I was mesmerized in the 50s by Scarborough St. The mansions looked enormous to me, with one looking so much like a prop on a Hollywood lot! Of course we kids never had the nerve to go on the property and peek behind the facade! Thanks for bringing back so many memories!

[@historywithdansterner263]

St Francis Hospital started in 1897. It would be a good topic for me to research for a future video.

[@BinghamtonWhalers]

Kool

[@williammacdonnell6965]

Will you be doing videos on both St. Francis Hospital, Mt Sinai Hospital, mcCook hospital and the institute of the living? Another great presentation! Many thanks!

[@historywithdansterner263]

Those are always possibilities!

[@Brendadavidsonfree]

I was born at St Francis Hospital in 1956. And my sisters at My Sinai. Still very interesting

[@joane.landers9151]

Thank you, Dan Sterner. I enjoyed the tour of these now non-existant buildings. Some of them probably still existed when I began my life's work at the Institute of Living (in late summer of 1960), bordered by Washington St., Essex St., Maple Ave., and Barnard St. Some of the buildings that were at the Institute wnen I began my job, no longer exist, too. In the forty-plus years I worked there between IOL, and Hartford Hospital's purchase of it in approximately 1994, and my leaving in 2001, a number of buildings were torn down, including a very long 4-story building which fronted on Retreat Ave., and Essex St. This building was a combination: a lobby area and infirmary for staff on the main floor; which fronted Retreat Ave., also on the extension of this first floor, there was a female patient unit, and on the wing that fronted Essex St., there was a male patient unit. The 2nd floor, both the portion that fronted on Retreat Ave., and Essex St., was for female staff; the third and fourth floors were for Student Nurses who came to the Institute for three months to get their Psychiatric Training. The Institute had student nurses from throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. In the days/years that nurses got their training to become nurses, it was done in General Hospitals, and their Psychiatric Education was usually done at the Institute before (student) nurses were required to get two-four years of college/university education.

[@historywithdansterner263]

I would like to do a video on the Institute of Living. Thanks for sharing that info.

[@joane.landers9151]

To Dan Sterner: ln addition to what I wrote the other day, the Institute of Living grounds in the 1850's were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape architect born in Hartford, CT. Sometime in the mid-1990's, the IOL's grounds were opened to the public for a self-guided tour to see about 30ish of the largest and oldest trees in CT. At that time, one would stop at the main entrance on Retreat Ave., to pick up a self-guiding map to the trees. I don't know if this is still available. One might have to contact/phone the IOL to find out.

[@Aaron.Davis56]

Good evening. Now you're hitting close to home. I was born there in 1956 and my mother worked there from 1957 until she retired 40+ years. I have a sister, niece, and nephew that currently works there, so I guess it's a family thing ... LOL. Great Content as always

[@historywithdansterner263]

I was born there as well.

[@junkandthangs]

Wow… normally I’d wait til I’m at work but not this time. I need to watch this one asap. Thanks Dan

[@Aaron.Davis56]

@@historywithdansterner263 Good afternoon and I'm enjoying your channel. I was thinking about the lost movie theaters of Hartford if you need a new topic. I use to go to the Strand, Allen, E.M. Loews, and Colonial on Farmington Ave. Maybe do the history of the Bushnell too. Thanks in advance

[@historywithdansterner263]

@@Aaron.Davis56 I do plan on doing more about lost movie theaters eventually. That's a good suggestion!

[@sweetpea5907]

Here is some trivia. Dr Thomas Hepburn was a urologist at Hartford Hospital. My aunt worked as a day worker for the Hepburn family and yes his daughter was Katharine Hepburn. I hope you do s video about the schools. I went to Barnard Brown, Vine Street School,West Middle School and was about to enter Hartford High School but i moved to NY

[@williammacdonnell6965]

St. Francis was started because catholic and Jewish physicians weren’t allowed privileges at the Hartford Hospital