Philadelphia Antiques Show 2018

In order to begin our mission, a place of operation was needed. There were no funds to construct our own building yet, so the Board of Managers rented a house on Market Street (then High Street) from the widow of Judge Kinsey. Elizabeth Gardner was hired as matron to run the daily operations, with Dr. Thomas Bond, his brother, Dr. Phineas Bond, and Dr. Lloyd Zachary acting as the medical staff. The rented home was sufficient for the first few years of operation, but a specific, dedicated building was needed. The physicians wanted a place removed from the heart of the city, to best treat the patients. The painting House of Employment, Alms House and Pennsylvania Hospital , demonstrates how far removed the Pennsylvania Hospital was from the city, when in 1755, the East Wing was constructed. The Pennsylvania Hospital is the smaller building on the right side. The larger building on the left, the Almshouse and House of Employment, was the likely location for those deemed “undeserving” of the charity of the Pennsylvania Hospital. All early patients would be asked to present a “security,” someone to vouch for his/her good character, to ensure s/he would not steal or destroy the property of the hospital. Also in this image, cows are seen grazing near the hospital; the Board of Managers did in fact use cows to help off-set the cost of food for the patients. While the Pennsylvania Hospital has always been nondenominational, it was heavily influenced by the frugal and prudent Quaker physicians and managers. The hospital proved a success, welcoming in many sick poor in need of medical attention, as well as the mentally ill from all classes in society. The expansion can be seen here in one of the most famous views of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Southeast View of the Pennsylvania Hospital , attributed to Thomas Birch as part of his series Views of Philadelphia (1799-1800),which is displayed in a private office in the Pine Building. The original image was drawn and engraved by John G. Exilious, a former patient of the hospital; for his efforts, Exilious was paid $250. It did not take long before there arose a need to expand the small East Wing. The West Wing was constructed in 1796, in order to separate the mentally ill patients from the medical patients. The Center Building, completed in 1804, housed the new Surgical Amphitheatre, as well as the apothecary and the library. With all three wings completed, the new building took on the name “Pine Building;” the main entrance was moved for a time period from the East Wing at 8 th Street to the SE View of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Attributed to Thomas Birch (1779-1851). Philadelphia, 19th century. Pennsylvania Hospital Historic Collections. House of Employment, Alms House and Pennsylvania Hospital, unknown artist Philadelphia, 19th c. Pennsylvania Hospital Historic Collections. W 135 W