Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association Records, 1882-1969

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association Records
Dates:
1882-1969
Creators:
Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association.
Abstract:
This collection contains minutes, membership lists, and other records of the Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association, an association for graduates of the Nurses Training School at Agnew Hospital which met from the mid-1910s to 1960s.
Extent:
0.75 Linear feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association Records, MS 65, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains minutes, membership lists, and other records of the Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association, an association for graduates of the Nurses Training School at Agnew Hospital which met from the 1910s-1960s. Other records include histories, articles, financial documents, correspondence, and luncheon and commencement invitation. Additionally, there is information on the curriculum of the Nurses Training School, and notices about member deaths. Records are sparse during World War I because 21 members joined the Red Cross to aid in the war effort.

Biographical / historical:

The wooden frame building for the Agnew Hospital and Nurses Training School was built in 1899-1900 at 5th and Beech (1501 5th Avenue) in San Diego. The hospital was named after David Hayes Agnew (1818-1892). Agnew graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1838 and went on to practice surgery and teach anatomy at the University of Philadelphia. He gained a reputation for his skill and judgment as a surgeon. The original building became known as the Annex when a new brick building, named the Agnew Hospital and Training School for Nurses, was built in 1906. It was large enough for one hundred beds and became the main hospital and school building. The Annex was sold in 1920 to become apartments. There is no official date for the close of the main hospital and school. The building became the El Rey Hotel, and in the 1960s it was a residence for senior citizens.

The nurses training program was a three year course. The first class of five nurses graduated in 1903, and the last class of eighteen nurses graduated in 1919. Graduates gained a reputation as being well-trained, recalling 12-hour training days, and later 20-hour shifts, and $25 per week as salary. The Agnew Nurses Association changed its name to the Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association in 1916. Annual gatherings to be held on the first Saturday in October were initiated in 1919 and lasted through the 1960s. At these meetings, professional journals and current medical topics were discussed. The Alumnae Association also kept track of Agnew nurses and their welfare. Notable graduates include Mrs. Mary Wolking (class of 1913) who spent thirty years working for the San Diego Department of Health and 21 graduates who served in the Red Cross during World War I.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Katherine VanDrunen in March 2008 and Samantha Mills in April 2017.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
April 10, 2017
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2017-04-10T16:18-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Agnew Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association Records, MS 65, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website