United States Marine Hospital of Louisville

Infobox_nrhp | name =United States Marine Hospital of Louisville
nrhp_type = nhl

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caption =
location= Louisville, Kentucky, USA
lat_degrees = | lat_minutes = | lat_seconds = | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = | long_minutes = | long_seconds = | long_direction = W
area =
built =1845
architect= multiple
architecture= Greek Revival
added = September 25, 1997
governing_body = Local
refnum=97001265 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The United States Marine Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Portland neighborhood was built in 1845, and is considered the best remaining antebellum hospital in the United States. [ [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=-2130183395&ResourceType=Building National Historic Landmarks Program (NHL) ] ] Of the seven hospitals built in the mid-19th century by the Marine Hospital Service “for the benefit of sick seamen, boatmen, and other navigators on the western rivers and lakes.” [ [http://marinehospital.org/past.htm The Past of Marine Hospital ] ] It is the only one still standing, [ [http://www.chtky.org/Sites_district_2.htm Portail d'informations ] ] even after surviving two tornadoes. [ [http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/archives/arc_news_2005/111505.htm Preservation Online: Today's News Archives: Louisville Hospital's Resuscitation Begins ] ] . The building has been extensively restored to match its appearance in 1899.

History

The U.S. Marine Hospital opened in 1852. The patients at the Louisville Marine Hospital were usually victims of disease, temperature extremes, and mechanical deficiencies of the era's naval technology. During the American Civil War, along with Jefferson General Hospital, it formed the foundation of Louisville health care for wounded soldiers, both Union and captured Confederates. It is believed that a third of the total patients were black. [ [http://www.marinehospital.org/past.htm The Past of Marine Hospital ] ] During World War I the hospital cared for many amputees injured in the war. [ [http://www.marinehospital.org/past.htm The Past of Marine Hospital ] ] During the 1930s, it served as housing for nurses and doctors of nearby hospitals. [ [http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/archives/arc_news/070604.htm Preservation Online: Today's News Archives: Outlook Improves for Louisville's U.S. Marine Hospital ] ] . The hospital closed in 1933.

The city of Louisville purchased the building in 1950 for $25,000 and used it for a short time as a hospital for the chronically ill.

In the late 1950s, it housed medical residents working in the newer hospital directly behind it, which replaced the Marine Hospital and today is known as Family Health Center Portland. The building was vacant from 1976 until 2007. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Restoration

In 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) placed the building on its America's Most Endangered Places list, which helped spark public interest in restoring it. The hospital has now been returned to its 1899 appearance, the earliest reference of the building's appearance that can be found. [ [http://www.marinehospital.org/ U.S. Marine Hospital Online- explore a national historic landmark in Louisville, Kentucky ] ] In 2003, the hospital received a $375,000 Save America's Treasures grant from the NTHP to repair its roof and exterior. On November 11, 2005, rebuilding of the structure began. The smokestack, constructed in 1933, was demolished to help return the structure to its 1899 appearance. The octagonal cupola, which patients used to better view the passing river traffic during its heyday, was also rebuilt. [ [http://www.steamboats.org/talkshop/messages/28604.html US Marine Hospital in Louisville ] ]

Small buildings that once housed a boiler and a parking structure were razed to reflect the original design.

The 28 sets of wrought iron railings lining the building's galleries were either restored or replaced by the same Covington, Kentucky-based iron works company that created the original ones in 1850.

The hospital celebrated the completion of its exterior restoration phase with an open house on June 16, 2007

Future plans

Several plans have been devised to use the structure. During Paul Patton's term as Kentucky governor, the hospital was considered as a welcome center for those entering Kentucky from the Sherman Minton Bridge. Traffic projections stopped that plan from being implemented. [ [http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/03/26/story8.html?page=3 Old mission, new plan: Talks with U of L could lead to new health-related mission for Marine Hospital - Business First of Louisville: ] ]

The basement, which formerly held boilers, is to be used as a 3,450-square-foot multi-use ballroom and rented out for parties and other special events. The building's ground floor is to be used as an interactive center featuring hospital history and artifacts. [cite news |first=Sheryl|last=Edelen |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/ZONE07/706130459/-1/ZONE07 |title=Historic Marine Hospital looks like its old self again |publisher=The Courier-Journal |date=2007-06-14 |accessdate=2007-06-14]

The remaining two floors are slated for agencies and organizations specializing in improving community health within underserved urban communities. [cite news |first=Sheryl|last=Edelen |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/ZONE07/706130459/-1/ZONE07 |title=Historic Marine Hospital looks like its old self again |publisher=The Courier-Journal |date=2007-06-14 |accessdate=2007-06-14]

Media reports have stated that the University of Louisville is close to signing a deal to put a Community Health Center in the historic building. [ [http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/03/26/story8.html Old mission, new plan: Talks with U of L could lead to new health-related mission for Marine Hospital - Business First of Louisville: ] ]

Architecture

The structure was strategically placed between the wharfs of Louisville and Portland, with a “beneficial effect of a view of the (Ohio River), and the impressions and associations it would naturally awake in the minds of men whose occupation were so intimately connected with it.”. [ [http://www.marinehospital.org/past.htm The Past of Marine Hospital ] ] It was designed by Robert Mills, who designed the Washington Monument and several other prominent structures. [ [http://www.marinehospital.org/architect.htm About The Architect of Marine Hospital, Louisville, Ky ] ] It was a "cutting edge" facility, with indoor plumbing and an air circulation system that helped prevent infections. [ [http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/03/26/story8.html?page=4 Old mission, new plan: Talks with U of L could lead to new health-related mission for Marine Hospital - Business First of Louisville: ] ]

References

ee also

*Louisville in the American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.marinehospital.org/index.html Official Site]